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has assumed that the vegetative cover on pre-disturbance native <br />rangeland is "adequate to control erosion" if signs of excessive <br />erosion are not present. In this instance, the vegetation success <br />standard is based on non-noxious, perennial cover in the sagebrush <br />community adjacent to the affected areas at Red Canyon, which was <br />quantitatively sampled in 1983. The standard has been set at 23~ <br />perennial, non-noxious vegetation cover, based on the 1983 sample <br />data. Data from the 1983 study is presented in Appendix F of the <br />permit application. Previous Findings documents had erroneously <br />indicated that the applicable standard was 268, but this value <br />included annual and biennial cover, which will not apply toward the <br />success standard. <br />Methods to measure vegetation cover and species composition are <br />discussed in Section 2.05.4(2)(vi) of the permiC application <br />(starting on page 133 of Volume 1). The operator plans to use either <br />point intercept or line intercept cover sampling methods. The <br />methods are described in detail in the application, as are methods <br />for ensuring statistical sample adequacy and conducting statistical <br />tests of success. These techniques are approved by the Division <br />(4.15.7(1)). <br />Vegetation surveys completed in 1992 and 1997 have shown that the <br />vegetative success standard for cover has been met. Four-wing <br />Saltbush (Atriplex canescens) is the dominant species in the <br />reclamation, along with bluebunch wheatgrass (Agropyron spicatum). <br />The Division determined Four-wing Saltbush, rather than Scadscale <br />(Atriplex confertifolia), would be beneficial in the seed mix, as <br />Four-wing is more palatable to wildlife than Scadscale. As the end <br />land use is wildlife habitat, this change is acceptable. Both Four- <br />wing and Scadscale are native in the vicinity of the Red Canyon Mine. <br />Site visits have determined that wildlife is indeed utilizing the <br />reclamation. <br />E. The majority of the revegetation work was completed during initial <br />reclamation in 1988. Small areas associated with ditch reclamation, <br />permanent channel modifications, and road surface stabilization were <br />revegetated in the fall of 1997. <br />XI. Post-mining Land Use <br />A. The Division is proposing to approve a post-mining land use of <br />wildlife habitat. The land use meets the criteria of Rule 4.16.3. <br />XII. Protection of Fish, Wildlife and Related Environmental Values <br />A. The operator proposes to perform plant specific application of herbi- <br />cides if significant numbers of noxious weeds threaten successful re- <br />vegetation. The Division proposes to approve this usage <br />(4.18(4)(g)). <br />B. Fish and wildlife habitat is a planned post-mining land use. The <br />applicant has selected appropriate plant species and distributions to <br />benefit fish and wildlife (4.18(4)(1)). <br />26 <br />