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The 75/25 weighted reference area cover standard was not met. However, the operator has successfully established big sagebrush in accordance with the post mine land use objectives. Further, reclaimed area cover has successfully controlled erosion, and the operator demonstrated that total suspended solids levels contributed by the reclaimed landscape do not exceed premine conditions. For these reasons, the Division finds the lower percentage of reclaimed area cover to be appropriate, pursuant to Rule 4.1.8(3), and finds the reclaimed area cover to be acceptable for bond release. Production data was collected according to the approved permit. The production standard based on the weighted values from the grassland and sage shrubland was 38.6 grams/meterz in 1997 and 38.2 grams/meter" to 1998. The weighted production values for the reclaimed areas were 68.7 grams/meter in 1997 and 57.3 grams/meterz in 1998. The production in the reclaimed areas exceeded the 75/25 weighted standard in both 1997 and 1998. Production is considered acceptable The shrub density standazd was set at 2,000 stems/acre. Stems densities were collected using the approved methods. In 1997, the weighted stem densities from the reclaimed azea were 5,862 stems/acre and in 1998 they were 5,598 stems/acre. The shrub density standard has been achieved. _ The species diversity was based on cover data from undisturbed native vegetation. Species diversity would be considered acceptable when: two shrub species have been established; two cool season grasses have been established; one forb species has been established; one of the established shrub or cool season grass species can account for less than 3 percent of the total cover by all species; and the established forb species must occur on 50 percent or more of the sample transects. The dominant shrub species was big sagebrush which accounted for more than 3 percent cover. Other shrub species were rubber rabbitbrush, black sagebrush and Vasey rabbitbrush. Cool season grasses were thickspike wheatgrass, Russian wildrye and green needlegrass. Forbs with greater than 50% frequency were clubflower in 1997; and Rocky Mountain penstemon and western yarrow in 1998. Species diversity is considered acceptable. The Division finds that all revegetation success criteria have been achieved in accordance with the approved permit application and Rule 4.15.8. Post Mining Land Use The approved post mining land uses at the reclaimed Bourg Mine are rangeland and wildlife habitat. The regraded topography represents gentler slopes than the pre- mining topography. These reclaimed slopes will facilitate livestock grazing and reduce sediment loss. The reclaimed mine also has a higher productivity as compared to the reference areas which represent native rangelands. Several wildlife species utilized the mine area prior to mining. The major species were antelope, deer and sage grouse. The revegetation plan at the reclaimed Bourg Bourg Mine ~ Final Bond Release Permit No. C-81-021 January 18, 2000