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3. Methods to measure herbaceous cover and production are discussed in Appendix H <br />of the permit application. The methods follow those suggested in the DMG Bond <br />Release Guideline, 1995. The Division has granted Oxbow Mining's request for the <br />elimination of the woody stem density standard for the reclamation of the mine site. <br />The Division has approved these techniques (4.15.7(1)). <br />4. Species diversity will be determined successful for bond release areas greater than <br />]0 acres when at least four perennial species have a relative cover between 3% and <br />60%. Of the four species at least one will be a forb or shrub, and applicable <br />perennial grasses will be cool-season species. Species diversity for areas less than <br />10 acres will be determined successful when at least three perennial species will <br />have a relative cover between 1% and 60%. Of the three species, at least one will be <br />a forb or shrub, and applicable grasses will be cool-season species. <br />5. Comparisons between reclaimed and undisturbed areas, in order to demonstrate that <br />the success criteria of 4.15.8, 4.15.9, or 4.15.10 have been met, will be based on the <br />following: <br />1) Comparison of cover and production on most revegetated areas with reference <br />areas established during the baseline vegetation study. <br />2) Standards for the small riparian community at the lower Hubbard Creek site <br />which include 44.3 percent cover and 1,784 pounds per acre. The diversity <br />standard for the riparian community will be as follows: The plant community <br />shall contain a minimum of one cool-season, sod-forming grass and three <br />cool-season bunch grasses with each species having a minimum of five percent <br />cover. <br />The Division has approved these comparisons and standards. <br />The Division proposes to approve of the reference areas, which the applicant has <br />selected based on the requirements of Rule 4.15.7(3). <br />6. The reference areas will be utilized to determine revegetation success in a manner <br />which the Division finds acceptable 4.15.7(4)). <br />IX. Protection of Fish, Wildlife and Related Environmental Values <br />Fish and wildlife habitat is a planned post-mining land use. The applicant has <br />selected appropriate plant species and distributions to benefit fish and wildlife <br />(4.18(4)(1)). <br />24 <br />