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V.E. Determination ofRevegetationSuccess V.E.1 Introduction. The determination of revegetation success on the Deserado Mine site is developed in this section. The criteria applied are in accordance with Sections 2.05.4(2)(e)(vi), 4.15.7(2), and 4.15.8 of the Regulations of the Colorado Mined Land Reclamation Board for Coal Mining promulgated under 3 CCR 407-2. The criteria for determining revegetation success is based on two prescribed areas of the DMG Regulations, as cited above: • The use of reference areas to evaluate revegetation success. • The reference to technical documents of the United States Department of Agriculture, Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS). This dual approach is deemed necessary as a result of the effects of past and current land use practices on large areas of the permit site. The use of reference areas alone may not be applicable as the sole criteria for revegetation success. The vegetation in this region has been severely altered by historic over-grazing by sheep, fire suppression, and the invasion by cheatgrass. These factors not only altered the structural composition of the plant community but also modified the soils through erosion. Therefore, attempts to mimic the premining vegetative community with a revegetated site may be undesirable and counterproductiveto achieving the postmining land use objective. However, even if a more desirable plant community is established, continued management practices may drive the dynamics of the ecosystem to reflect the character of the premining sites. It is highly probable that the primary on-going land use on the permit area will continue to involve utilization by sheep as winter range. With proper managementfollowing reclamation, the reclaimed lands will sustain the postmining land use at or above premining levels. Revegetation objectives should be directed to obtaining the greatest benefit for the postmining land use. Consideration must be given to the ecosystem as a whole and not into attempting to duplicate the predominate feature of the ecosystem. Frequently the greatest benefit is obtained by providing a componentthat is lacking from the existing ecosystem. Regardless of the specific functional use selected, the revegetated site must be stabile from an erosional standpoint. Percent vegetative cover is used as a measure of such resistance to erosion. Comparing percent vegetative cover of a revegetated site to that of a premining site provides a useful demonstration of the revegetated site's ability to resist erosion and retain moisture. The ability to change structurally to react to various stresses placed on the site by future management practices and environmental changes is also important. Diversity is often used as a measure of a ExhibitE-Reclamation Plan Rio Blanco Special Use Permit#61.1 September2000 V-32