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3.2.2 Species Composition <br />While the Eastside Mine does not have a species composition requirement, the statute <br />requires that a diverse assemblage of vegetation be established on the reclaimed azea. <br />Evaluation of species composition is based on quantitative relative cover data. <br />Reclaimed area sampling this yeaz identified six species which each accounted for greater <br />than three percent relative cover. These species were Astragalus titer (23.87%), <br />Chrysothamnus nauseosus (19.19%), Agropyron smithii (17.42%), Agropyron <br />intermedium (14.35%), Artemisia tridentata (12.58%), and Bromus tectorum (7.74%). A <br />lifeform analysis of the above species reveals two cool season perennial grasses, one <br />annual introduced grass, one cool season perennial forb, and two perennial deciduous <br />shrubs. <br />4.0 DISCUSSION <br />The reclaimed azea at the Eastside Mine was quantitatively sampled in the tenth year after <br />initial revegetation during the extended liability period for vegetation cover and species <br />composition to evaluate revegetation success as part of the two yeaz evaluation prior to <br />Phase III final bond and liability release, <br />4.1 Total Vegetation Cover <br />The reclaimed area met the revegetation success total vegetation cover requirement for <br />final bond release. The mean total vegetation cover of the reclaimed azeas (57.47%) <br />exceeds the total vegetation cover revegetation success criterion of 35 percent. <br />4.2 Species Composition <br />While there is no species composition requirement for the Eastside Mine, the number and <br />diversity of the species present demonstrates that the reclaimed plant community meets <br />the letter and spirit of the statute and regulations in establishing a diverse and permanent <br />vegetation cover capable of self-regeneration and plant succession. All species contained <br />in the seed mix were represented in the cover sampling. <br />4.3 Comparison of 2000 and 2006 Vegetation Sampling Results <br />Tables 3 and 4 and Figure 5 illustrate the results of vegetation cover sampling undertaken <br />in 2000 (prior to Phase II bond release) and 2006 (the first yeaz of a two year evaluation <br />prior to Phase III bond release). Total cover increased in 2006 by neazly seven percent <br />over 2000, noting that both yeazs were experiencing dry growing seasons. <br />Tn 2000, two species significantly dominated relative cover, Agropyron intermedium and <br />Astragalus titer contributing 62.18 percent of the total relative cover. In 2006, five <br />Faeteide Goal Gompary Fasts(de Mfne Page 6 <br />2006 Vegetation Sampling Report <br />