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site=s ability to adapt to these changes. One must keep in mind that as productivity and cover increase diversity usually decreases. Therefore, a balance needs to be established between the criteria which provides optimum value for the postmining land use and that which provides adequate ecological resiliency. When selecting appropriate diversity criteria one must considerthe nature of the site and the ability of species and life forms to colonize from adjacent sites. Greater emphasis should be placed on diversity for large unbroken tracts of land than for smaller sites with extensive influence from undisturbed native vegetation. Therefore, diversity standards should be greater on large concentrated disturbances from strip mined lands than for smaller diffuse disturbances from linear features such as light use roads. The most appropriate approach to developing revegetation criteria is the combined use of reference areas and data on site potentials. Some of the information relating to the vegetative communities are available from studies of reference areas. The remaining data have been collected from the mine permit site as a whole. Reference areas have also been established in areas where disturbance has been less prevalent. Complimentary information has been produced from regional data. Table V-14 compares baseline samples of various plant communities to the NRCS (p.k.a. SCS) Range Site descriptions. V.E.2 Revegetation Success Criteria Historic, current, and probable future land use all involve the use of the permit area as sheep and wildlife habitat winter range. As a result, revegetated sites must not only meet those specifications set forth by the DMG, but must compliment the values of surrounding lands. The application of the latter category of criteria is particularly important on sites that receive the greatest utilization by sheep during the winter and early spring. These are exposed sites on south and west-facing slopes, and ridge and hill tops. Fencing of reference areas 110, 140 and 150 was necessary to prevent continued depletion of the herb layer as a result of sheep winter use and to improve the existing range condition. However, Section 4.15.7(3)(d) of the regulations requires the reference areas to be managed in a manner that is in accordance with the approved postmining land use. Therefore, before sampling for comparative purposes, the reference areas must be made available for grazing. Semi-arid sites characterized by harsh and limiting environmental conditions have been successfully reclaimed in this region using the techniques around which this plan has been constructed. Understanding the special treatments and well-coordinated maintenance programs is important. The site-specific plans and evaluations provided for by this plan and the presence of a resident reclamation specialist is integral to the success of the plan. Criteria used to evaluate revegetation success for purposes of final bond release are as follows: (Table V-15 summarizes these criteria). (a) Vegetative cover of the revegetated area must be at least 90% of the vegetative cover ExhibitE-Reclamation Plan Rio Blanco Special Use Permit#81.1 September2000 V-33