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• The table above shows the percent of the normal monthly precipitation recorded <br />at the Paonia 1SW weather monitoring point (see monthly issues of Colorado Climate). <br />It is interesting to note that although the seven month average percent precipitation for <br />1993 was higher than 1992 (148.2% vs. 116.4%), the June/July average in 1992 <br />(93.0%) far exceeded that in 1993 (28.9%). While this is again only a casual <br />examination of weather factors and is not meant to be conclusive, the increased summer <br />precipitation may help explain the greater herbaceous productivity measured in 1992. <br />Comparison of Reclaimed Areas with Success Standards: <br />As noted in previous reports, standards apply to the Bear No. 1 and 2 mine sites <br />rather than reference areas. Determination of reclamation success involves showing <br />that reclaimed community parameter means are not less than 90% of the herbaceous <br />cover and production standards at the 90% statistical level (Rule 4.15.8(3)(a)) and that <br />• the terms of the species diversity standard are met. Specific cover and production <br />success standards are listed as part of Table 8. <br />As noted on page 51 of the 1987 Findings Document, no success standazd exists <br />for woody stem density. A species diversity standard was delineated and is as follows: <br />"The reclaimed vegetation surface shall include at least three herbaceous species with <br />relative cover equal to or greater than 3%, two of which aze cool season grasses, and <br />one forb. The combined relative cover of these species should not exceed 80%, and no <br />one species should comprise greater than 60%." <br />As table 8 shows, the reclaimed areas satisfy the vegetative success standards <br />required for Bear Mines 1 & 2. For cover, the total perennial, non-noxious herbaceous <br />cover mean of 36.4% exceeds 36.0%, and therefore a statistical comparison was <br />unnecessary. For herbaceous perennial, non-noxious production, the total value of <br />1790 pounds per acre also exceeds the 90% target value of 1440. As established in the <br />• <br />7 <br />