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• 15) The previous standard was the highest in the State for any coal mine, and this site is <br />a pre-law site with no topsoil ever salvaged. Many other mines with far better conditions <br />have far lower vegetation standards. <br />Proposed Revised Vegetation Success Criteria <br />As pointed out in the Matt Hayes letter, the acreage of the upper portal bench area to be <br />studied for revegetation - 1.21 acres, and [he yard area - 2.36 acres, is so small [hat i[ is <br />not possible to accurately divide consider them as separate sample areas. For this reason, <br />the new standard will apply to both areas. <br />The rule under which this application is made to change the standard is Rule 4.15.7 <br />(d)(ii). In this instance, the technical document upon which the standards would be <br />based would be Mr. Davey's letter recommending changes in the standards. <br />Herbaceous Cover: 42% <br />Herbaceous Productivity: 900 Ibs/acre <br />• Species Diversity: see below: <br />Using relative cover or production values for each species, the reclaimed areas will have <br />at least 3 perennial species with relative importance equal to or greater than 3%,. but <br />with all species combined not to exceed 80% in relative importance. Any one of the 3 <br />species cannot exceed 55% in relative importance. Relative importance means the % <br />cover of the perennial species will be compared [o the % cover of all species except ~ <br />noxious weeds. <br />The basis for the change in species diversity standard is given in the second Matt Hayes <br />letter enclosed in this section. <br />Shrub Density: <br />The landowner has requested that no shrubs-be planted on the reclaimed area. Since he <br />has requested this and the post-mining ]and use of grazing/wildlife habitat will be <br />enhanced by an open area, no further woody plant density information is needed. The <br />adjacent area is characterized by dense shrub communities which will provide sufficient <br />cover and edge effect for wildlife. The reclaimed area will provide herbaceous forage <br />with preferred browse species. <br /> <br />Mid-Tern: Review 3/21/01 184-14 <br />o'~C <br />