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Icnapweed. Irrigation will be initiated in the 1997 growing season. <br />Quantitative sampling of revegetated areas will be conducted in conjunction with <br />Phase II bond release (prior to the fifth growing season), and in conjunction with <br />final bond release during the final two years of the liability period. <br />Phase II sampling of the dryland reclaimed areas will be limited to vegetation cover, <br />while Phase III sampling will include cover, production, and woody plant density. <br />Phase II and Phase III sampling of the irrigated cropland will be limited to <br />vegetation production. Statistically valid sampling techniques to be employed for <br />demonstrations of revegetation success are described on pages 4-62a through 4-62c. <br />Sample adequacy demonstrations and statistical testing methods will be consistent <br />with the Division's Bond Release Guidelines. <br />Revegetation success standards are summarized below. Success standards are <br />addressed on pages 4-62a through 4-62c of the permit application. <br />Dryland Pasture Success Standards <br />Total perennial, non-noxious cover not less that 90% of sagebrush reference area <br />perennial, non-noxious cover. <br />Herbaceous perennial, non-noxious production not less than 90% of sagebrush <br />reference area herbaceous perennial, non-noxious production. <br />Species Diversity--two cool season bunchgrass species, two cool season sod grass <br />species, two leguminous forb species, and two woody plant species; each species to <br />be represented by not less than 3% relative cover or more than 40% relative cover. <br />Woody Plant Density--1000 live woody stems per acre. <br />Imgated Hayland Success Standard <br />The vegetation success standard for the reclaimed cropland area is to be based on <br />total herbaceous, non-noxious perennial production. <br />The specific standard of comparison for determination of production success for the <br />irrigated area has not yet been determined. Apparently, no baseline data was <br />collected from the irrigated hayland area prior to initial disturbance, and no specific <br />technical standard or reference area was established. This issue was identified as a <br />concern by the Division during the review of Permit Renewal No. 3, and it has not <br />as yet been satisfactorily resolved. The applicant proposed a technical standard of <br />900 pounds per acre, based on total annual production in a normal year for the <br />affected soil types, derived from Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) soil <br />survey information (page 4-62a of the application). Because this value is based on <br />expected production under dryland conditions, and does not reflect the additional <br />Coal Ridge No. 1 Mine 16 Permit Renewal No. 3 <br />