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been seeded with a mix of productive forage grasses and alfalfa, and the hayland areas <br />will be irrigated with water from the Vulcan Ditch, which traverses the reclaimed azea. <br />Management during the liability period is to include proper management of livestock to <br />promote the postmine land use, and control of noxious weeds. Weed control efforts were <br />initiated in 1993, and will be continued annually as necessary to control infestations of <br />Canada thistle, field bindweed, and Russian knapweed. An updated weed control plan <br />was approved May 23, 2006, as minor revision 23. Irrigation was initiated in the 1997 <br />growing season. <br />Quantitative sampling ofrevegetated areas was conducted in conjunction with Phase II <br />bond release and will be accomplished in conjunction with final bond release during the <br />final two years of the liability period. <br />Phase II sampling ofthe dryland reclaimed azeas was limited to vegetation cover, while <br />Phase III sampling will include cover, production, and species diversity. Phase II and <br />Phase III sampling of the irrigated cropland will be limited to vegetation production. <br />Statistically valid sampling techniques to be employed for demonstrations of revegetation <br />success aze described on pages 4-62a through 4-62c of the PAP. Sample adequacy <br />demonstrations and statistical testing methods will be consistent with the Division's Bond <br />Release Guidelines. <br />Revegetation success standazds aze summarized below. Success standards aze addressed <br />on pages 4-62a through 4-62c of the PAP. <br />hrigated Hayland - 3000 pounds/acre (PAP page 4-62a). <br />Sagebrush Community -Phase III vegetative success will be evaluated for cover, <br />production and species diversity. Total perennial, non-noxious cover, as per Rule <br />4.15.8(3)(a), must be found to be greater than or equal to 90 percent of the reference <br />area's total perennial, non-noxious cover with a 90 percent statistical confidence level. <br />Additionally, herbaceous, perennial, non-noxious production, as per 4.15.8(4}, must be <br />found to be greater than or equal to 90 percent of the reference area's herbaceous, <br />perennial, non-noxious production with a 90 percent statistical confidence level. <br />Species diversity success will be evaluated. Using relative cover for each species, the <br />reclaimed areas wilt have at least four perennial species each with relative importance <br />equal to or greater than 3%. No individual species which provides in excess of 60% <br />relative cover can be counted towazd the diversity standazd. At least three of the species <br />will be cool season grasses. <br />No woody stem density success standard applies to the mine site. <br />XII. Post-mining Land Use <br />The Division is proposing to perpetuate the previously approved post-mining land use of <br />agricultural (rangeland and cropland.) Therefore, the Division makes no approvals with regazd <br />to an alternative post-mining land use (4.16.3). <br />23 June 1, 2006 <br />