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shrubs can be counted in the forb category, raising the forb relative cover to <br />21.55%. This 21.55% relative cover value is more than double the value of 10% <br />required by the approved reclamation success diversity standard. The diversity <br />standard regarding forb species has been achieved for the 2005 sampling event. <br />The woody plant density success standard for the mine is 167 stems per acre. <br />IME collected 30 belt transects (100 MZ) for woody plant density. The data was <br />not collected to sample adequacy. The operator employed the reverse null <br />hypothesis for demonstrating the validity and success of the woody stem density <br />data. This statistical analysis is acceptable in accordance with Rule <br />4.15.11(2)(b). Two shrub species and one sub-shrub species were encountered <br />in the shrub belt transects; Rubber rabbitbrush, Fourwing saltbush, and <br />Winterfat, respectively. IME included Winterfat (Krascheninnikovia Janata aka <br />Eurotia Janata) in the woody stem counts. Winterfat is considered asub-shrub. <br />The Division does not include sub-shrubs in the woody stem density calculations. <br />Subtraction of the Winterfat data from the woody stem data results in 14.77 <br />woody stems per 100 M2 belt transect. This value calculates to 598 woody <br />stems per acre. The reclaimed area exceeds the woody plant reclamation <br />success standard for the 2005 sampling event. <br />The 2005 data show that the reclaimed vegetative community at the Raton <br />Creek Mine is successful for cover, production, diversity and woody plant <br />density. <br />Post mining land use <br />The approved post-mining land use is rangeland. The mine site reclaimed area <br />has been periodically grazed since 1996, effectively demonstrating the capability <br />of the site for limited livestock grazing. Although the ten-year liability period <br />included the worst drought in Colorado recorded history, vegetation sampling <br />demonstrates that even with moderate grazing pressure, the reclaimed area <br />vegetation is capable of self-regeneration when responsible land management <br />practices are implemented. Weed control over the liability period was limited to <br />spot treatments for Canada thistle and one small patch of whitetop. Noxious <br />weed infestation has not been observed and weeds are a statistical insignificant <br />portion of the vegetative cover at the site. <br />Surface and Ground Water Protection <br />No significant or adverse impacts to surface water quantity or quality were <br />observed or documented during the revegetation liability period. Erosion has <br />been effectively controlled through prompt revegetation of disturbed areas. <br />Offsite impacts due to surface water discharge from the disturbed area were <br />prevented due to treatment of runoff in the sediment pond. Two small area <br />exemptions have no impact to surface water quality offsite due to the <br />establishment of permanent vegetation. Modifications to the permanent <br />impoundment at the site were completed to allow the retention of water up to the <br />11 <br />