2008-03-12_PERMIT FILE - C1981018A (8)

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I• combined should not exceed 80% relative vegetative cover, and no one non-native species should exceed 60% relative vegetative cover. On smaller and linear featured sites the forb and maximum relative vegetative cover diversity criteria will not apply since existing native species will have sufficient opportunity to colonize the sites in the future. However, the minimum relative vegetative cover diversity criteria for grasses will remain the same (see Table V-15). (e) Woody plant density on the larger and concentrated revegetated sites will be 500 stems per acre since the post reclamation use of the land will mainly be for grazing purposes. Woody plant density criteria for linear featured and small localized sites associated with the long term operation of the mine will be 200 stems per acre. No woody plant density criteria shall be required for drill roads or drill pads associated with exploration development or degas borehole drilling. Shrub species from adjacent undisturbed lands will have an adequate opportunity to colonize these sites making density criteria unnecessary. V.J.3 Sampling Methodology for Demonstrating Revegetation Success. The following • sampling methods will be used to demonstrate revegetation success. Quantitative measurements will occur as outlined in DMG's "Guidelines Regarding Selected Coal Bond Release Issue" until such a time when the approved criteria set forth above are met. (a) Herbaceous and woody plant cover will be sampled using randomly located transects 100 to 200 feet in length, with 50 to 100 point intercept observations per transect. (b) Woody plant density will be sampled using a modified belt transect. Shrub density is determined in randomly placed 3 x 100 foot belts. (c) Herbaceous productivity will be measured using 0.25m2 rectangular quadrats. Standing live above-ground herbaceous biomass will be harvested in each quadrat. Fractions harvested will include important species and life form categories (i.e., western wheatgrass and perennial fortis). Samples obtained will be oven dried to a constant weight and weighed to the nearest one tenth of a gram. (d) When immediately adjacent undisturbed lands are used for reference, transects and quadrats will be placed such that paired sets of data are obtained for statistical analysis. The reference transect will be placed on the undisturbed land as a logical extension of the revegetated transect allowing an adequate buffer zone between the lwo sites to eliminate edge effects. The paired transects are to be located on nearly the same slope, aspect, etc which would ideally make the revegetated transect blend into the undisturbed site. L J Mid-Term Review 2002 (8/2002) V-63