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-48- Revegetation success standards for the west portal disturbance area are the same as set for previously disturbed area for herbaceous production (400 lb/acre), woody plant density (1000 stems per acre) and diversity (see above). Reference areas were determined not to be necessary or appropriate due to the small extent of disturbance (12 acres) and the fact that the applicant does not prpose to reestablish the dease woody community which existed prior to disturbance. The applicant originally proposed a cover standard of 40% which was applied to disturbed areas at the main portal. However, due to deeper soils and more favorable aspect at the west portal site, and the fact that total vegetative cover was estimated to be 70S in the predisturbance oakbrush community, the Division felt that a higher cover standard would be appropriate. The applicant subsequently proposed a vegetative cover standard of 60% for the west portal site. Based on data from interim revegetation at the main portal area which shows vegetative cover to average slightly above 60%, the Division is confident that the standard is achievable. Available literature suggests that a 60% vegetative cover would be effective in controlling erosion, and that incramental decreases in sediment production would be relatively insignificant as vegetative cover increases above 60% (Branson, et. al., 1981; Dadkhah and Gifford, 1980; look and stubbendieck, 1986). The final seed mix approved by MLRD for the Orchard Valley Mine proposes 28 different species (see Vegetation Report - Harmer-White Ecological Consultants, Inc.). Each year they will plant a minimum of ll species: 6 species which will be in the mix every year and the other five will be a combination of the remaining 22 species. CWI has designed the seed mix this way because some seeds are difficult to buy every year. The approved temporary seed mix contains such competitive species as pubescent wheatgrass which may generate large numbers of seeds on sail stockpiles. Problems with the establishment of grasses, fortis, and especially shrubs in the permanent seed mix are lessened by severely limiting the seed reserves of these competitive, introduced species in the seedbed material. Permit C-038-81 stipulated that the temporary seed mix could only be used on stockpiles inactive for five years or less; for stockpiles to be left for more than five years the permanent mix must be utilized (see Stipulation No. 18 of Permit C-038-81). CWI has committed to this stipulation and currently practices this procedure. The permanent seed mix will be utilized on mine bench outslopes and the topsoil stockpile associated with the west portal. The operation is found to be in compliance with the requiren~nt of this section. XII. FISH AND WILDLIFE (2.04.11, 2.05.6(2), 4.18) The fish and wildlife resources sections of the application can be found on pages 85-96, Section 2.04 of Volume lA and in the Wildlife Appendix, Volume 9A. The Fish and Wildlife Mitigation Plan can be found on page 115, Section 2.05 of Volume 16