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-49- transects. A point frame and pin will be used to record 50 equally spaced measurements per transect. A minimum of 10 transects will required. Vegetation cover will be recorded by species. First and second hits on vegetation will be used in the calcu]ation of percent cover. Each separate transect would be one sample, with the percent cover value for each sample determined by totalling the first hits on vegetation and dividing by 50. Hits on bare ground, rock and litter will be recorded separately. If sample adequacy is not met with 10 transects, additional transects will be located and measured until adequacy is obtained. Herbaceous production sampling will consist of clipping the herbaceous vegetation in quarter meter plots located along the previously discussed transects. Five plots will be clipped along each transect. A minimum of five transects, the first five randomly selected transects, will be required. If sample adequacy is not met with this minimum number, more randomly located transects will be sampled until adequacy is met. Measurements of woody plant density will consist of counting the number of shrubs with 25 randomly located lm x 25m, belt transects. The applicant indicated that the above sampling procedures were acceptable and would be utilized by Bear Coal Company in determining revegetation success. Due to the fact that the area adjacent to the Bear No. 3 portal has been previously disturbed, the success criteria of Rule 4.15.10 are applicable, specifically, the ground cover of living plants shall not be less than can be supported by the best available topsoil and shall be sufficient to control erosion. The seedmix for the No. 3 Mine is attached as Tabie 11. The more stringent requirements of Rule 4.15.8, which include meeting standards for herbaceous production, woody plant density and species diversity are applicable to reclaimed areas at the Bear No. 1 and No. 2. The Division recommended, and the applicant accepted, a plan far measuring herbaceous cover and woody plant density. The applicant has requested, pursuant to Rule 4.15.7(2)(d)(vi), that the Division set the revegetation success standards for the Bear Mine for the parameters of herbaceous cover and production, species diversity and woody plant density based on local environmental conditions and available data fpr similar sites. The standards are listed below. Table 1) Seed Mixture 1. Herbaceous Production: 1600 lbs/acre 2. Herbaceous Cover: 40% 3. Species Diversity; The species diversity standard is based on species composition (% relative cover). The reclaimed vegetation surface shall include at least three herbaceous species with relative cover equal to or grater than 3%, two of which are coal season grasses, and one forb. The combined relative cover of these species should not exceed 80%, and no one species should comprise greater than 60%.