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Comparison of Reclaimed Area with Success Requirements: No statistical comparison is necessary because the reclaimed area cover value of 44.1 exceeds the 90% reference area value (90% of 46.9 = 42.2). In fact, even the total perennial, non-noxious component of the reclaimed vegetation exceeds the 90% value from the reference area. Assuming [hat the Division accepts the extended reference area, the mine area would qualify for Phase II bond release consideration. Page 4-64 of the approved permit document states: "Species diversity will be considered acceptable if sampling demonstrates that three species of cool season grasses, two species of fortis, and three species of shrubs and/or trees have been established. In addition, no species shall comprise less than 3% of the total cover or more than 40% of the total cover. This standard will be acceptable for all areas (i.e, • refuse pile, truck dump, etc.)". As noted above, fvst hit data is expected to give a close approximation of what multiple hit data would show with regard to the species diversity standard. Although 18 plant species were encountered through cover sampling, only three exceed the minimum qualification of 3% relative cover to apply to the diversity standard, and two of these exceeded the 40% maximum. Agropyron cristatum (Crested wheatgrass) and Astragalus titer (Cicer milkvetch) were the dominant species, each contributing just over 40% relative cover. Chrysothwnnus nauseosus (Rubber rabbitbrush) contributed 5.7% relative cover. Thus, only one cool season grass, one fort, and one shrub species exceed 3% relative cover, with the grass and forb species being perilously close to uselessness by virtue of exceeding 40% relative cover. The cover data demonstrates that enough species exist on the mine site to eventually fulfill the diversity requirements, assuming that, as time goes on, the two dominant species decrease slightly in importance and other species increase. This is not C~ 9