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<br />was recorded by species, while any other hits were recorded as litter, rock or bare ground, as <br />appropriate. Transect length was SO meters, with two sample points collected at 1 meter <br />intervals, for a total of 100 points per transecK. A Kupper and Hafner sample adequary <br />calculation for the reclaimed area data indicates a minimum sample size of 4.16 transects. Ten <br />(10) cover transects were collected on the reclaimed area Therefore, sample adequary was <br />achieved for the reclaimed area. [Of note, the Kupper and Hafner formula was used for the <br />reclaimed area because the sample mean was less than the mean for the reference area.] <br />Sample adequary for the reference area was calculated at 3.0 transects. Eleven (11) cover <br />transects were collected for the reference azea. Thus, for the reference area, sample adequary <br />was also achieved. <br />The reclaimed area cover mean was 13.1%. The reference area cover mean was 14.6%. Ninety <br />percent of the reference area cover mean equals 13.14%. Since Rule 4.15.8(3) requires <br />achieving 90% of the reference area mean with a 90% co~dence interval, none-sample T-test <br />was calculated with the null hypothesis being that the bond release block mean is greater than <br />or equal to 90% of the standazd. The calculated t-value (representing the reclaimed azea) was <br />less than the 1-tailed t-table value. Therefore, the reclaimed area cover was determined to be <br />successful in achieving the minimum of 90% of. the reference area cover standazd. The <br />vegetative cover meets the requirement for Rule 3.03.1(2)(b). <br />Data collected in July 1996 from the reclaimed azea indicates the presence of 6 cool season <br />grass species, of which 4 species contribute greater than 3% but less than 40%a relative cover. <br />These four (4) species are: Crested wheatgrass, Western wheatgrass, Thickspike wheatgrass, and <br />Smooth brome. <br />Only one (1) species of perennial forb, alfalfa, is present in the 1996 sampling data at greater <br />than 3%. However, two other perennial forb species are present at less than 3% relative cover. <br />Three warm season grass species are present in the reclaimed area. Blue grams, Side-oats <br />grams, and Red three-awn, combine to make up 13.7% relative cover. <br />Achieving the diversity standard is not mandated for phase II release. However, the Division <br />reviews the data to determine if the reclaimed area is progressing toward the diversity standard <br />required at the time of Phase III (final) bond release. Although not encountered in the sample <br />transects, the half-shrub, (or forb for Division purposes) Winterfat was observed throughout the <br />reclaimed area during the bond release inspection. The Division considers the vegetation on <br />the reclaimed area adequate for demonstrating that vegetation species diversity is progressing <br />towards ultimately meeting the required diversity standard. <br />The post-mining land use of the reclamation is rangeland. Rangeland is defined by Rule <br />1.04(71) as "land on which plant cover is principally valuable for forage. Except for brush <br />control, management is primarily achieved by regulating the intensity of grazing and season of <br />use". Managed cattle grazing was conducted during portions of the 1995 and 1996 grazing season. <br />The reclaimed area vegetation appears to be capable of supporting grazing. Improved grass <br />species present on the site support cattle grazing. Noxious weeds were not sampled during the <br />5 <br />