2008-10-03_REPORT - C1981010 (2)

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Production. For the one Rangeland Reclamation Block, all of the production transect locations, • were randomly located within the appropriate reclamation blocks being sampled and along each randomly located transact, a total of three randomly located one quarter square meter clip plots were clipped. The three plots were clipped by life forms for perennial grasses and perennial forbs. As recommended in the Division's Guidelines, annuals, biennials and shrub production was not clipped. The three clip plots were then averaged into a single transect datum for purposes of statistical analysis. For each reclamation block sampled a minimum of 30 production transects were used for sample adequacy calculations. Following clipping the clipped materials were dried in a drying oven in the Trapper Mme Coal Laboratory at 30 degrees C fora. period of 48 hours. The revegetation production success standard is 62.39 grams per square meter (g/m) for the Range Site A (Rangeland Reclamation Block AD&H-A/B). Shrab DensStarting at each of the 30 transect locations described above for the production sampling of Rangeland Reclamation Block AD&H-A/B, the fifty-meter tape was laid out along; a predetermined and randomly selected alignment. Woody stem density was determined using a modified belt transact sampling approach. The right-hand side of the transect was called Side .A. and the left-hand side of the tape was called Side B. Data collected from each side were added into a ftansect value which represents the number of shrubs sampled in the 100 square meter sample plot These data are reported in the Results Section as to the number of shrubs per 100 square meters as well as the number of shrubs per acre as outlined in the Permit. The revegetation woody plant density success standard is 400 stems per acre for Rangeland Reclamation Block AD&H-A/B. in addition, shrub survival/density counts were taken on three Shrub Clumps, constructed within Rangeland Block AD&H-A/B - 96-98 using a front-end loader. On these sites, which contain an average of approximately 250 component pads per clump, at least half of these pads were counted to quantify that at least 50 percent of these pads, contained at least 10 living woody plant stems per pad p cies Diversity. The plant cover data collected along each sample t ranseet yielded data relative to absolute and relative cover as determined by the percentage of hits. These cover data were then converted into percent composition or relative plant cover by species based upon the, total amount of plant cover encountered in each sample transect. The relative importance values of plants growing on the reclaimed areas, as outlined in the Permit, contain standards as to the number of perennial grass species growing on the reclaimed areas to ensure that a monoculture: of a single plant or a few plants does not dominate the reclaimed areas. The species diversity standard for the Range Site A in the Mine Permit commits Trapper to establish a reclaimed plant community composed of at least five species including a minimum of four perennial cool season grasses and one fort specie possessing a relative importance value of equal to or greater than 3 percent relative cover. No single species can contribute more than 50 percent relative cover and no four species can contribute more than 80 percent of the total relative cover on the site. Statistical Analysis of Data. As required by the Division's regulations, vegetation requirements are achieved for reclamation monitoring for Phase III bond release sampling efforts when the success standard is met and either sample adequacy has been satisfied or a reverse null formula (as described in the Division's regulations found in Section 4.15.11(2), has been demonstrated. Sample adequacy can be demonstrated after a minimum of 15 transects have sampled. Before the reverse null calculation may be used, at least 30 transects must have been sampled All of the