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B. The Division proposes to approve the use of straw mulch as a means to <br />meet soil stabilization requirements. Mulch will be crimped in following <br />application. Hydroseeded areas receive mulch during the hydroseed <br />application (4.15.4). <br />C. Methods to measure herbaceous cover and production, and species <br />diversity, are discussed under the heading Revegetation Monitoring in <br />section 2.05.4 Reclamation Plan of the permit application. Sampling data <br />will be gathered for cover, production, and species diversity during years 9 <br />and ten of the revegetation liability period. The proposed post mining land <br />use is rangeland. A woody plant standard is not required. Additionally, the <br />landowners have requested no woody plants be re-established on the <br />revegetated area. <br />Cover data will be collected along a 50 meter transect randomly located. <br />Ten samples will be collected along the transect at ten randomly selected <br />points along the transect for a total of 100 sample points. Production data <br />will be collected along the same transect at three one quarter meter circular <br />quadrats. At each quadrat site, vegetation will be clipped and placed in <br />labeled bags by life form for drying and weighing. Species diversity will be <br />calculated using the relative plant cover data. The Division proposes to <br />approve of these techniques (4.15.7(1)). <br />D. Comparisons between reclaimed and undisturbed areas, in order to <br />demonstrate that success criteria of 4.15.8, 4.15.9, or 4.15.10 have been <br />met, will be based on the following: <br />Sample adequacy will be determined based upon the formula found I Rule <br />4.15.11(2). A minimum of 15 cover and production transects will be <br />sampled prior to calculating sample adequacy. Cover and production on <br />the reclaimed area will be compared using statistical comparisons to the <br />corresponding reference areas. Data will be compared using a "standard <br />null t-test" or the "reverse null hypothesis". <br />The species diversity standard shall be "the four most dominant plant <br />species will comprise no more than 80% of the total relative cover. A <br />minimum of two warm season species will contribute at least 5% of the <br />total relative cover and one perennial forb will contribute at least 5% of the <br />total relative cover. <br />Specific details can be found under the Revegetation Monitoring section of <br />the approved permit application. The Division proposes to approve the <br />basis for this comparison. <br />E. The Division proposes to approve of the reference areas which the <br />22 <br />