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-47- <br />The vegetation baseline information section of the permit application is <br />presented on pages 77-84, Section 2.04 of Volume lA, and Appendix A of the <br />west portal revision. The revegetation plan can be found on pages 80-103, <br />Section 2.05 of Volume 16 of the original application and pages 11-13 of the <br />west portal revision. Information on orchard productivity and reference areas <br />is presented in the Vegetation appendix. <br />The applicant submitted a vegetation inventory on October 23, 1981 in response <br />to stipulation No. 2 of the 1981 permit. The vegetation inventory provides a <br />quantitative study for 2 reference areas, the proposed waste disposal area and <br />a reclamation plan. The quantitative study addresses all the requirements, <br />the only potential problem identified was the sample adequacy was not achieved <br />for all parameters. However during pre-inventory meetings with the MLR, OSM, <br />and representatives of CWI on August 7, 1980 a maximum sample size of 50 was <br />determined and agreed on by all parties. Therefore, this inventory satisfied <br />the requirements of this section. <br />The operator submitted an acceptable crop production standard for the loadout <br />site on November 25, 1981 in response to stipulation No. 7 of the 1981 <br />permit. The response to stipulation 7 fulfills the requirements. CWI will <br />maintain a record of fruit yields as a function of time noting climatic <br />factors and other pertinent variables. A listing of the varieties grown in <br />the CWI orchards has been incorporated into the permit application. <br />It is understood by the Division that shrub/tree densities on the reclaimed <br />surface will not be returned to pre-mining levels, due to the post-mining land <br />use objective of grazing land for livestock and wildlife. However, an <br />appropriate, justifiable density standard needed to be developed and submitted <br />to the Division for approval, based upon recommendation from the Division of <br />Wildlife for minimum shrub densities for wildlife grazing and habitat needs. <br />The applicant submitted a proposed standard on November 23, 1981 with <br />subsequent revisions in response to stipulation No. 8 of the 1981 permit. CWI <br />has committed to the establishment of 1000 stems/acre as the standard for <br />woody plant density. This standard has been approved by the Division. <br />A final standard for species diversity was proposed by CWI on February 14, <br />1983 (see Harner-White Ecological Consultants Report) in response to <br />stipulation No. 15 of the 1981 permit. <br />The standard agreed upon by CWI and MLRD is as follows: <br />1) There are at least 5 native perennial herbaceous species (4 native cool <br />season grasses and one native forb) which have a relative cover or production <br />equal to or greater than 3% each. <br />2) There are at least 2 native shrub species which no one exceeds a <br />relative density of 80%. <br />3) The 5 herbaceous species combined will not exceed 90% in relative cover <br />or production and arty one of the 5 species will not exceed 60% in relative <br />importance. <br />