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~~ <br /> <br />081021: 1995 Annual Rcclamation Reoon 'Z <br />Sagebrush is present at a much reduced frequency at only 4.8% relative cover. Live <br />vegetative cover on the 1988 seeded area equals 32.9%. This cover value appears to be <br />fairly stable over the last 4 years. Vegetative litter values remain fairly consistent at around <br />47% as well. Although the sagebrush component seems fairly low, the data indicates that <br />sagebrush is increasing. <br />When data from both the 1984 seeded area and the 1988 seeded area are taken together, <br />the live vegetative cover totals 31%. This is a fairly consistent value over the past 4 years. <br />Litter remains relatively consistent at 44.8% for the overall mine site. Russian wildrye <br />showed a marked increase in cover value in 1995, while Thickspike wheatgrass has shown <br />a steady decline over the past three years data. Sagebrush cover remains fairly steady over <br />the past two years at 6.4% and 6.3% in 1994 and 1995 respectively. <br />Comparison of vegetation report data with on site inspection tends to indicate agreement <br />that the mine site appears relatively stable. The winter of 1995/1996 was a heavy snow year. <br />Snowmelt occurred in April and May. Mine-site inspection on May 17, 1996 did not observe <br />excessive erosion occurring on the reclaimed areas. Minor rilling had occurred in limited <br />locations. <br />Comparison with the permit's approved revegetation standards finds that: <br />1) Cover and productivity of the revegetated area will be considered successful when <br />they are 90% (@ 90% statistical confidence) of the weighted reference area. <br />2) Woody plant density equals 2000 stems/acre. <br />3) Two shrub species, two perennial cool season grasses and one forb have been <br />established. <br />Data has not been collected, or at least not reported, in the annual revegetation reports to <br />allow a measure of comparison to the reference areas. Shrub data has been reported as <br />cover data but not as stem density to permit comparison to the woody plant density <br />standard. No composition percentage was set in the diversity standard, just presence or <br />absence. By this measure the Bourg mine site should be able to achieve the diversity <br />standard if current trends in the vegetative community continue. <br />c: \jhb\081021 \ 1995ARR <br />