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factors affecting the occurrence of vegetation communities are similar. For this reason, <br />data from the two mine sites for productivity of the above communities were compared to <br />determine if the communities of McClane and Munger Canyon were from differing <br />populations. [t was verified statistically that the McClane and Munger respective <br />communities were not significantly different in terms of vegetative productivity within <br />the bounds of each vegetative community. Data from the McClane and Munger sites <br />were combined (within communities between sites), and it was determined that the <br />combined data met confidence level requirements. <br />The initial five-yeaz permit for the.Munger Canyon Mine contained a stipulation (No. 9) <br />requiring the permittee to resample the Munger Canyon big sagebrush community for <br />production during the 1983 growing season. A satisfactory response to the stipulation <br />was received; therefore, the requirements of Stipulation No. 9 attached to the initial <br />five-year permit aze considered resolved. <br />Stipulation No. 10 attached to the initial five-yeaz permit required the permittee to submit <br />information to the Division demonstrating that pre-mine vegetation sampling data was <br />representative of what may be expected from present vegetative communities. The <br />operator subsequently submitted an adequate response, thereby satisfying the <br />requirements of the stipulation. <br />Stipulation No. 11 attached to the initial five-yeaz permit required the permittee to supply <br />the Division with woody plant density data for all sampled communities. This <br />information was required in order to determine whether the affected and reference azeas <br />of similar plant community, at the McClane Canyon and Munger Canyon mine sites <br />could be combined to yield an adequate sample which could then be used as a standazd <br />for the woody plant density component of revegetation success. Several tests were <br />performed to determine the comparability of affected and reference azeas, and Munger <br />and McClane communities. It was determined that the means of Big Sagebrush affected <br />and reference azeas were equivalent at 95% confidence. All other communities <br />(Greasewood, Shadscale, and Juniper) did not show equivalency between affected and <br />reference azeas. Data from the Big Sagebrush affected and reference azeas were <br />combined to yield satisfactory baseline data for woody plant density for the Big <br />Sagebrush community. Stipulation No. 11 to the September 7, 1982 Findings Document <br />is considered resolved. <br />Revegetation Plan & Revegetation Success <br />The Division has reviewed the Munger Canyon Mine revegetation plan and revegetation <br />criteria during the course of the original permit review, and numerous subsequent mid- <br />term and permit rerzwal reviews. During the most recent mid-term review, in August <br />1996, concerns vve,-: identified with respect to interpretation and application of the <br />species diversity standard, and with regard to the woody plant density standazd which was <br />a6 <br />