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'' ~ ~ ~' to come to its balance of life-forms under, hopefully, prudent management. In preparing the ecosystem for development of this equilibrium, all the major desirable species of woody and herbaceous plants practically avail- able at the time should be returned in quantities which allow for the potential increase of each species without limitation by the lack of a seed source. The proposed woody plant density standards as specified in the reclamation plan would result in woody plants spaced a maximum average distance apart of eleven feet in all directions. Intuitively, it seems apparenT that with this spacing, were ecological conditions appropriate, all areas would be within easy seed dispersal distance of potential parent plants. In this manner, the revegetated area is stocked with appropriate species and life-forms which can adjust their relative abundance to reflect the competitive conditions existing under the post-mining land use. By way of review, the proposed minimum woody plant revegetation standards for the Munger Canyon Mine are as follows: Greasewood Shrubland, 350 stems per acre; Big Sagebrush Shrubland, 480 shrubs per acre; and Pinyon- Juniper Woodland, 1500 stems per acre. Note that between shrub seeding and transplanting there is a good chance that densities could be much higher than this, if site conditions are conducive. Also note that the maximum effort toward establishment of high woody plant density is directed toward Pinyon-Juniper Woodland where the woody component of the vegetation is thought to represent the greatest value to the most types of wildlife. Stipulation #13: Method/means for evaluation of woody plant density and species diversity on reclaimed areas. MIRD and WRD discussed current thinking on acceptable evaluation methods for density and diversity. WRD will submit a discussion addressing this topic. Response: The attached table lists the species present in the affected area of each vegetation type, which provided over 3 percent relative cover. It is suggested that these numbers of species by life-form be used as the minimum stnadards for diversity in the post-mining revegetated areas of each vegetation type. Because the vegetation of the site had been abused by overgrazing for a long period prior to study, the vegetation composition had been shifted in most of the vegetation types to the point where most of the vegetation cover was provided by woody species and weedy annuals. Reference to the seed mixes and live nursery stock transplant lists will show that the revegetation effort is directed toward a considerably higher species diversity and improved species composition than exists in the abused existing vegetation. Woody plant density standards for each vegetation type are proposed in the reclamation plan and are explained under Stipulation #12 above. -5-