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;{ 2006 ANNUAL RECLAMATION REPORTlREVEGETATION EVALUATION REVIEW Annual Reclamation Report On page 2 of the report, under Item (e), please include reference to the herbicide used in association with the tamarix removal project. Revegetation Evaluation Report 2. Toward the end of page 2 and continuing on page 3 of the revegetation report prepazed by Cedar Creek Associates, Inc., there is discussion of the species diversity standard. Narrative on page 2 does not accurately reflect one aspect of the standard. The report references the standard as specifying that "no reclaimed azea shall have a single species that represents > 70% relative cover". In actuality, the approved standard states: No reclaimed area shall have a single species that represents greater than 70% relative cover, with the exception of annual grasses. The annual grass component shall not exceed 70% relative cover unless the annual grass component in the corresponding reference area also exceeds 70%. In such instances, the relative cover of the annual grass component of the reclaimed area shall not exceed the relative cover of the annual grass component in the reference area by more than 5%. The report narrative on page 3 recommends modification of the standazd, to reflect the fact that cheatgrass (an annual grass) may exhibit relative cover values surpassing 70% in some years, in reference areas as well as reclaimed areas. We acknowledge this point, however the currently approved standard includes an allowance to address this concern. As such, we do not believe the modification recommended in the report is warranted. Please respond as to whether you concur that the issue raised is adequately addressed by the current standard. On Table 3 (Relative Cover Summary) for the various sampled aeeas, as well as individual cover tables for specific reclaimed areas, intermediate wheatgrass (Thinopyrum intermedium) is listed as a significant cover component for several sites (North Decline Mine Dewatering System, Substation "B", CRDA-1 Upper Benches, and South Fan-West (Borrow Area). Intermediate wheatgrass has not been included in the approved seed mixes for any of the Roadside Mine areas, and it seems unlikely that it would have established at the rates indicated for multiple