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Shadscale Shrubland sample mean: 661 lb/ac. Standazd (90% of mean): 595 lb/ac. Juniper Woodland sample mean: 3891b/ac. Standazd (90% of mean): 3501b/ac. The diversity standard is specified on page 3-17, and requires that a minimum of three perennial species shall each provide a minimum of 3% relative cover. At least two of these species shall be cool season perennial grasses. No individual species shall represent more than 60% relative cover. This standazd was amended by RN-04, from the previous standard which mentioned perennial forbs and warm season grasses as counting towazd the diversity standazd, but identified no minimum relative cover level for any particular life form. Neither warm season grasses nor perennial forbs were significant components of the affected vegetation types. The relatively small number of species required to meet the diversity standard reflects the fact that the total disturbance is only 9.2 acres, and the largest distwbance in any one vegetation type is less than 5 acres. The 60% upper limit is also reflective of the small disturbance azea, and the fact that relative cover of the dominant species in the three affected vegetation types ranged from 40% to 58%. The woody plant density standards previously established by the Division in consultation with the Division of Wildlife aze: Greasewood Shmbland: 500 stems per acre Shadscale Shrubland: 500 stems per acre Juniper Woodland: 1,500 stems per acre The Division fords that a density standazd lower than 90 percent of the density of the approved reference azea is appropriate (4.15.8(7)). IX. PROTECTION OF FISH, WILDLIFE AND RELATED ENVIItONMENTAL VALUES Fish and wildlife information and the fish and wildlife plan are presented in Section 4.3 of the application. The Colorado Division of Wildlife (DOW) and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (LJSFWS) were both notified of the RN-OS renewal application, but neither agency submitted comments on the application. The DOW did comment on the RN-04 application in 1996, and noted in their letter that elk use of the permit and adjacent area had increased substantially in the years since the original application had been prepared in the early 1980's. The Lazge Mammal section of the Wildlife Inventory narrative in the permit application was updated to reflect the increased elk use described by DOW. A noxious weed control plan to include the use of 2,4-D, a soil persistent, broadleaf herbicide, and glyphosate (Roundup), anon-persistent, non-selective herbicide, was added to Section 4.5.14 of the application during the RN-04 review, to control noxious weeds such as whitetop, field bindweed and Canada thistle along roads, stockpiles, and other disturbed areas in the permit area. The following specific findings are required. A. The applicant has proposed the use of persistent pesticides on the site during mining and/or reclamation operations. The Division proposes to approve this usage (4.18(5)(g)). 23