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3. Methods to measure herbaceous cover and production, species <br />diversity, and woody plant density are discussed in Appendix H of <br />the permit application. These techniques include the point <br />intercept method for determination of cover and clipping of <br />one-meter by four-meter plots in the Juniper Woodland and one-meter <br />by two-meter plots in the Mountain Shrubland for production. Woody <br />plant density will be determined by using 50-meter by one-meter <br />transects to estimate shrub numbers. The Division has approved <br />these techniques (4.15.7(1)). <br />4. Comparisons between reclaimed and undisturbed areas, in order to <br />demonstrate that success criteria of 4.15.8, 4.15.9, or 4.15.10 <br />have been met, will be based on the following: <br />1) Comparison of cover and production on most re vegetated areas <br />with reference areas established during the baseline vegetation <br />study. <br />2) A standard of 1,000 stems per acre for woody plant density on <br />reclaimed areas. <br />3) Standards for the small riparian community at the lower Hubbard <br />Creek site which include 44.3 percent cover, 1,784 pounds per <br />acre production and 1,000 stems per acre woody plant density. <br />The diversity standard for the riparian community will be as <br />follows: The plant community shall contain a minimum of one <br />cool-season, sod-forming grass and three cool-season bunch <br />grasses with each species having a minimum of five percent <br />cover. All species of perennial fortis must provide a minimum <br />of five percent relative cover. Mo herbaceous species may <br />provide in excess of 60 percent relative cover and be counted <br />toward the diversity standard. A minimum of three woody plant <br />species must be present in the reclaimed community. <br />The Division has approved these comparisons and standards. <br />5. The Division proposes to approve of the reference areas which the <br />applicant has selected based on the requirements of Rule 4.15.7(3). <br />6. The reference areas will be utilized to determine revegetation <br />success in a manner which the Division finds acceptable 4.15.7(4)). <br />IX. Protection of Fish, Wildlife and Related Environmental Values <br />1. Fish and wildlife habitat is a planned post-mining land use. The <br />applicant has selected appropriate plant species and distributions <br />to benefit fish and wildlife (4.18(4)(1)). <br />X. Subsidence Control <br />The applicant used a subsidence control plan in accordance with <br />Rule 2.05.6(6) and committed to adopt all measures in order to <br />reduce the likelihood of subsidence and prevent material damage to <br />Hubbard Creek. The Division has approved the plan (4.20.1(2) and <br />-20- <br />