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Along each cover transect tape, shrub densities were also evaluated using a 2 by 50- <br />meter belt transect. Side A was the right-hand side of the tape and all shrubs rooted <br />within one meter of the tape were counted. Side B was the left-hand side of the tape. The <br />total shrub counts from the two sides of the tape were then averaged into a single datum <br />in order to document shrub densities during this sample period. <br />Sample adequacy and mean comparisons using the t-test comparison were made <br />according to the recommended formulas found in the DMG's Vegetation and Bond <br />Release Guidelines. <br />RESULTS <br />A listing of the 31 plant species encountered in the sampling of the 30 plant cover and <br />30 shrub density transects is found in Table 1, Plant Species Encountered in the <br />Vegetation Sampling of the Raton Creek Mine Site. A total of 12 grasses, 10 perennial <br />and two annual grasses; 13 fortis, including two annuals and one noxious weed; and 5 <br />shrubs and one tree species were encountered in the sampling of this site. <br />A listing of the individual transect values for the 15 cover transects for the non-topsoiled <br />site is presented in Table 2, Raton Creek Mine Site Non-Topsoiled Reclamation Plant <br />Cover. The corresponding values for shrub density for these same transects is presented <br />in Table 3, Raton Creek Mine Site Non-Topsoiled Reclamation Shrub Density. <br />Plant Cover values obtained from the sampling of the topsoiled areas area found in Table <br />4, Raton Creek Mine Site Topsoiled Reclamation Plant Cover. Shrub Density values for <br />these same transects is found in Table 5, Raton Creek Mine Site Topsoiled Reclamation <br />Shrub Density. <br />Sample adequacy at the 90 percent confidence interval for the 15 sample transects on <br />the non-topsoiled site was found to equal 29.11 samples and 25.05 samples for the <br />topsoiled site. This means that in this interim revegetation monitoring effort, sample <br />adequacy was not obtained. This sampling effort was not intended to satisfy the required <br />sample adequacy, but often 15 samples is sufficient to satisfy sample adequacy for plant <br />cover. With respect to shrub density, sample adequacy for the non-topsoiled reclamation <br />was determined to equal 263.4 samples and 1,034.3 samples for the topsoiled <br />reclamation. <br />DISCUSSION <br />According to the Raton Creek Permit, the minimum standards for revegetation success <br />at this location are 25 percent vegetation cover with a shrub density of 500 stems per <br />acre. With respect to species diversity, the commitment is made that at least 60 percent <br />of the total plant cover will consist of grasses. Fortis will contribute at least 10 percent of <br />the total vegetation cover and shrubs will contribute at least 5 percent of the total <br />vegetation cover. <br />Evaluation of the data collected during the 1998 monitoring effort reveals that both of the <br />reclaimed areas satisfy the Total Plant Cover requirement ~@ra`s'se~s contribute onlyl"6}N7.4x'= ~ <br />perce,~ltaofsthe~totala'Veget'atidn/codeAon the n'©m-3oPsoil~'d'~ites and 99..percent on the <br />