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0~~ ~~~ <br />em~irnnmrnml srienmu and rnginHm <br />Vegetation cover of the reclaimed area was lower than for the mountain brush <br />reference azea. Vegetation cover of the reclaimed area is lower than the <br />sagebrush/grass reference area, but is not statistically significantly different from <br />0.9 times the mean vegetation cover of the sagebrush/grass reference area. If <br />revegetation success for vegetation cover were in terms of comparison to the <br />sagebrush/grass reference azea, the reclaimed area would meet the revegetation <br />success standazd for total vegetation cover. <br />Various shrub species were observed in the reclaimed azea outside of the transects. <br />Transplanted shrub clusters were noted in several azeas and the survival rate of <br />these transplants is good. In addition, scattered areas of volunteer shrub seedlings <br />were observed, including several hundred specimens of bitterbrush, rose, <br />snowberry, and serviceberry. These were very young plants well hidden among <br />the grasses. <br />The revegetation success criterion for species diversity is a technical standazd. The <br />technical standazd is expressed in terms of relative importance of species and life <br />forms based on cover data. The reclaimed area meets this standard. The <br />application also contains a "woody plant diversity" standard. This standazd <br />requires that no woody species shall exceed 80 percent relative importance based <br />on woody plant density sampling, Since sampling for woody plant density was <br />not conducted, a determination of revegetation success with respect to this standard <br />cannot be made. Based on observation, IMS believes that sampling would show <br />no woody species would exceed 80 per+eent relative importance. <br />Discttssion <br />Overall the revegetation at the Meadows No. 1 mine continues to look very good. <br />The reclaimed stand is relatively weed free. Vigor of seeded and invading species <br />is generally good. The invasion of a number of perennial species is an <br />encouraging sign of the benefits of topsoiling. Soil loss does not appeaz to be <br />excessive. It is very evident that wildlife-particularly elk-favor this area. <br />Vegetation cover cover is higher than was measured in 1990. This may be <br />reflective of a more favorable year for moisture in 1991 as well as a real upward <br />trend. <br />IMS has previously stated its opinion that the revegetation success standards <br />contained in the petmit application aze not appropriate for this site. The mountain <br />brush reference area is not a suitable revegetation model. The revegetation <br />methods and seed mixtures in the approved reclamation plan for the Meadows <br />No. 1 mine were not intended to restore a mountain brush vegetation type. <br />Located in a narrow canyon immediately adjacent to three stock ponds, the <br />mountain brash reference azea is moderately to heavily grazed and in fair or worse <br />condition. Because the post-mining land use is livestock grazing, a mountain <br />brush vegetation type is also not appropriate for the approved post-mining land <br />use. <br />A sagebrush/grass reference area was identified and sampled in 1991. The <br />rationale for selecting this azea includes a closer representation of a true climax type <br />-3- <br />