REV104710 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

The operator collected vegetation cover data on the reclaimed area in June 2006 and in June 2007. The azea was sampled eleven and twelve yeazs after the initial seeding. The period of liability in accordance with Rule 3.02.3(b) has been met. Methods used to sample the live vegetative cover are described in the permit. The approved post-mining land use is rangeland. The operator collected point-intercept live vegetation data using fifteen 25M long transects.. The permit had stated that 100 foot long (30.SM) transects would be used. The shorter length transects, 25M versus 30.5 M, used for data collection on the site is acceptable and the live vegetative cover data achieved adequacy for both 2006 and 2007 sampling events. The adequacy formula found in the Division's Guideline Regarding Selected Coal Mine Bond Release Issues, dated April 18, 1995, was used by the operator to determine statistical adequacy for the live vegetative cover data. Live vegetative cover measured in 2006 was 57.47%. Live vegetative cover measured in 2007 was 57.73%. Both 2006 and 2007 vegetative cover exceeded the reclamation cover standazd of 35%. Vegetation is considered successful for the reclaimed area for both 2006 and 2007. Though not required for the revegetation standazd at the Eastside Mine, the operator also provided species composition data for both 2006 and 2007 sampling events. The re-established vegetative community on the mine site is composed of a diverse mix of grasses, fortis and shrub species. The 2006 data measured 14 species, with 6 species exceeding 3% relative cover. No one species exceeded 25% relative cover. No noxious species were encountered during the 2006 sampling. The 2007 data measured 13 species, with 7 species exceeding 3% relative cover. No one species exceeded 25% relative cover. No noxious species were encountered during the 2007 sampling. Cheatgrass (Bromus tectorum) was present in significant amounts during both 2006 and 2007 sampling events, however plenty of other desirable perennial grass species made up the majority of the grass cover on the site. Although woody plant species establishment was not a requirement for the revegetation success on the Eastside Mine, a significant portion of the live vegetative cover for both sampling years was attributed to woody species, 34.19% relative cover in 2006 and 29.38% relative cover in 2007. CONCLUSIONS A diverse, healthy vegetative community exceeding the revegetation success requirement has been re- established on the Eastside Mine site.