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c) bagging by species during productivity analysis to determine species diversity; <br />d) shrub density will be evaluated using a modified point-center-quarter technique. <br />For the Fish Creek Tipple area the methodologies will be: <br />a) 50 meter transects with 10 points every 5 meters for 100 "hits" for determination of cover; <br />b) production from the clipping of three meter squared quadrants placed randomly along the <br />cover transect; <br />c) woody stem density will be determined by counting rooted shrubs along a 2-X-50-meter <br />transect; <br />d) successful diversity will require two perennial grasses to exceed 5% composition and one <br />perennial forb to exceed 3% composition with no one species exceeding 40% composition. <br />Specific details for the Fish Creek Tipple concerning revegetation success and sampling <br />methodologies can be found beginning on page 2.05-48 of Vol. VII. - <br />The Division has previously approved the use of these techniques (4.15.7(1)). <br />2. Comparisons between reclaimed and undisturbed areas, in order to demonstrate that success criteria <br />of 4.15.8, 4.15.9, or 4.15.10 have been met, will be based weighted means and variances relative to <br />their respective acreages and reference areas. Specific details concerning revegetation comparisons <br />can be found beginning on page 2.05-114 of Vol. I. This excludes the Fish Creek Tipple which was <br />disturbed prior to implementation of the regulations. No topsoil was salvaged for this area. <br />Stockpiled topsoil not used at Energy Mine No. 3 has been transferred to the Foidel Creek Permit <br />for distribution at the Fish Creek Tipple. Cover and production requirements are based on <br />standazds. Woody stem density is 1000 stems acre for this area. Details related to determination of <br />revegetation success at the Fish Creek Tipple can be found beginning on page 2.05-48 of Vol. VII. <br />The Division proposes to approve the basis for this comparison. <br />3. The Division has previously approved of the reference areas which the applicant has selected based <br />on the requirements of Rule 4.15.7(3). <br />4. The reference areas will be utilized to determine revegetation success in a manner which the <br />Division finds acceptable. The Fish Creek Tipple will not be compared to a reference area. <br />Standards will be used to determine revegetation success at the Fish Creek Tipple and also for those <br />small disturbed areas associated with outlying facilities (4.15.7(4)). A discussion of the standards <br />applicable to the Fish Creek Tipple is found on pages 2.05-48 to 2.05-53 of Volume VII. <br />XI[. Post-mining Land Use <br />Pastureland and Rangeland are the predominant land uses in the permit area. Historically, marginal lands <br />have been planted to small grain crops. The Federal Conservation Reserve Program has encouraged the <br />return of these marginal croplands to rangeland or pastureland. Twentymile Coal Company's post-mining <br />land uses of pastureland and rangeland support the CRP goal and are in agreement with section 4.16 of the <br />C:U H B\C82056\RN03\RN03FI ND.doc <br />24 <br />