REP32404 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

K 1993/1992 Vegetation Monitoring_C-81-029 2 Fifteen 5 meter long cover transects were collected on the reclaimed area. The mean cover calculated to be 65.2%. The number of transects required to meet sample adequacy was 3, adequate samples were collected. The operator needs to submit a map of the locations the transects were located to assure the Division that a representative sampling distribution throughout the reclaimed azea was achieved. Fifty-one productivity samples were collected. Sample adequary calculations indicate that 33 samples were required to achieve adequacy. Mean productivity was measured at 149 grams (oven dried) per half squaze meter quadrat. Within the reference area 10 cover transects were collected although only 5 were necessary to achieve sample adequary. Mean vegetative cover in the reference azea was 58.0%. Fourteen productivity quadrats were clipped in the reference area while calculations indicate 7 quadrats were sufficient to achieve adequacy. Production in the reference area was 112 grams (oven-dried) per half square meter quadrat. Analysis of this data indicates that vegetative cover on the reclaimed Grassy Creek property exceeds that measured on the reference area. Similarly, vegetative productivity measured on the reclaim exceeds that measured on the reference area. Division policy allows for annuals and biennials to count towards the cover standazd only to the extent that they are encountered within the reference azea. The reference area had 5 annual and biennial species that accounted for 2.0% cover (3.4% relative cover), whereas the reclaimed area only measured 0.8% cover (1.2% relative cover) attributable to annuals or biennials. No species deemed noxious weeds were measured in either site. The 1993 sampling found the top 5 species contributing to species diversity to be: Astragalus cicer, Bromus inemtis, Fertuca ovina, Agropyron intermeditun, and Dactylic g(omerata. These 5 species comprise 73.7% relative cover. This is an increase of 16% relative importance over 1992 sampling data. The relative importance of the top 5 species should not exceed 75%. Each of the 5 species comprise at least 3% relative importance, yet not one species exceeds 40% relative importance. Of note, though not a criteria for the Meadows Mine revegetation success criteria is of the top 5 species only one, Festuca ovina, is considered native. Review of the 1993 vegetative sampling data indicates that Sun Coal is achieving the revegetation success criteria for the Grassy Creek property. The cover data from 1992 indicates the vegetative community is relatively stable in respect to cover, productivity, and species composition.