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precipitation, the "normal" precipitation for the NSI site is 12-14 inches for the calendar year. The <br />following table provides a composite of precipitation from the gauges at NSI mine site: <br />Table 6.2 -Precipitation Record (inches) <br /> 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 <br />Jan 1.68 1.02 0.69 0.58 0.51 0.61 0.67 0.49 0.40 1.30 0.82 1.50 <br />Feb 1.16 0.86 0.99 0.49 0.88 0.85 0.65 0.74 0.58 0.89 0.44 1.47 <br />Mar 0.73 0.45 1.46 0.57 1.49 0.65 1.05 1.22 0.17 1.21 1.06 1.03 <br />Apr 1.85 2.44 1.44 2.78 0.82 0.83 0.47 1.42 1.07 1.24 0.25 0.78 <br />May 1.34 1.01 0.83 1.20 1.18 1.15 0.02 0.60 0.39 0.82 0.20 0.47 <br />Jun 1.14 1.91 3.28 0.39 0.76 0.04 0.67 0.50 0.81 3.15 0.27 1.25 <br />Jul 0.85 1.04 1.98 1.99 1.35 0.40 1.06 0.40 0.80 0.47 1.13 1.75 <br />Aug 0.18 2.74 1.42 1.53 1.93 1.92 0.62 0.64 0.85 1.48 1.45 1.45 <br />Sep 1.35 4.83 0.60 0.52 1.47 0.46 1.91 0.91 1.39 1.40 2.25 1.85 <br />Oct 1.71 1.27 1.65 0.43 0.97 1.14 1.25 0.60 1.15 1.00 2.5 1.15 <br />Nov 1.65 1.09 0.81 0.34 0.75 0.72 0.62 0.91 0.95 0.78 0.85 1.25 <br />Dec 0.55 0.30 0.90 0.33 0.39 0.60 0.20 1.10 0.31 0.37 0.90 2.80 <br />Total 114.19 18.96 16.05 11.15 12.55 9.37 9.19 9.53 8.87 14.11 12.12 16.75 <br />6.3.4 Vegetation Monitoring Results for 2007 <br />Per NSI's monitoring plan, reclaimed areas were monitored and evaluated by a qualified <br />specialist. The following summarizes the findings of Mr. Rusty Roberts. <br />NSI's permit requires monitoring vegetative production, composition and cover of representative <br />undisturbed sites for use in evaluating the success of reclaimed disturbed sites. In order to <br />achieve bond release on a disturbed site, the successful reclamation efforts must meet the <br />minimum requirements o£ <br />• Vegetative production from herbaceous perennial species by category (grass, forb) on <br />disturbed areas is equal to that measured on undisturbed sites. <br />• Cover of all perennial species on disturbed areas is equal to that measured on undisturbed <br />sites. <br />• Perennial forbs on disturbed areas comprise at least 4 % of that measured on undisturbed <br />sites. <br />• Shrubs on disturbed areas comprise at least 12 % of that measured on undisturbed sites. <br />NSI's monitoring plan requires initiation of quantitative data collection on reclaimed areas <br />within their fourth growing season. Quantitative vegetative data was collected in 2007 from <br />native rangeland (undisturbed control) and from three reclaimed well pad sites, lA-4HI, 3A-4H <br />and 4-3H. Ground cover, above ground vegetation biomass production and plant species <br />composition were collected from nearby native rangelands and from the three reclaimed sites. <br />Site lA-4HI was only within the third growing season since being reclaimed. Sites 3A-4H and 4- <br />3H were both within the fourth growing season since being reclaimed. <br />15 <br />