Laserfiche WebLink
New Hori<.on Mine 2 and PR-OS Revision Area: <br />Cover -Point intercept along a randomly located line transect or ocular estimates <br />in randomly located sample quadrats (cover'sampling is not required on Irrigated <br />Hayland or Irrigated Cropland reclaimed areas). <br />2. Production -Clipping of 3 foot by 3 foot plots, oven drying and weighing or total <br />harvest based on weighing of baled hay, and total count of bales on the bond <br />release parcel. The technique used depends on the end land use of the area <br />sampled, with the total harvest method of comparison an optional approach for <br />irrigated pastureland and imgated hayland. <br />3. Species diversity -Species diversity standards are not applicable to irrigated <br />pastureland, irrigated hayland, or dryland pasture reclaimed areas within the New <br />Horizon Mine 2 azea. For the relatively intensive agricultural land uses proposed, <br />simple seedmixes comprised of a small number of productive forage grasses and <br />legumes aze appropriate. The relatively small acreage of dryland pasture will be <br />interspersed among the lazger irrigated blocks, and will be used for livestock <br />grazing rotations in association with management of the irrigated lands. There <br />will be some diversity among land use types due to the use of different seedmixes <br />and management practices, however, no specific post-mine land use objective <br />would be served by the establishment of species diversity standazds applicable <br />to the post-mine land use types proposed. <br />4. Woody plant density -Not applicable to irrigated pastureland, irrigated hayland, <br />or dryland pasture reclaimed aeeas within the New Horizon Mine 2 area, for the <br />same reasons discussed under "Species Diversity", above. Woody plant <br />establishment is not desired by landowners within the permit area, and would not <br />be compatible with the proposed agricultural land uses. <br />The Division proposes to approve these techniques (4.15.7(1)). <br />E. In order to demonstrate that revegetation success criteria of 4.15.8, 4.15.9, and 4.15.10 <br />have been met, the following success standazds will be used: <br />New Horizon Mine 1: <br />Cover -Reclaimed areas will be compared to the established reference azea or a <br />technical standard of 43.9 percent ground cover (vegetation and litter) depending <br />on whether the azea has been previously mined or not. <br />2. Production -Reclaimed areas will be compazed to Natural Resources <br />Conservation Service potential productivity values (technical standards) for <br />Shavano (500 lbs./ac.) or Persayo (250 lbs./ac.) soil series depending on end land <br />use. <br />26 <br />