2008-09-29_PERMIT FILE - C1981019A ‎(13)‎

• Permit No: C1981019A
• IBM Index Class Name: Permit File
• Doc Date: 9/29/2008
• Section_Exhibit Name: 4.15 Revegetation Requirements
• Media Type: D
• Archive: Yes

RULE 4 PERFORMANCE STANDARDS
communities, sagebrush and mountain shrub is weighted by acres and summarized on the revised Table
4.15-7, Premine Species Diversity.
A total of four species with a combined contribution to diversity of 43.4% have been chosen to
characterize the premine vegetative community diversity standard.
The vegetative species with their contribution to diversity are as follows:
Species
(1) Poa pratenensis
(2) AQropfron Smithii
(3) Achillea lanulosa
(4) Stipa virdiula
% Contribution to Diversity
22.6%
10.8%
6.7%
3.3%
43.4%
Although Gallium and Lupinus caudatus rank reasonably well in the diversity scale, they are not included
in the diversity goals for reclamation. Gallium is an annual, while Lupinus caudatus is considered toxic
to livestock and is most likely a product of overgrazing. Colowyo is interested in reclaiming with
vegetation species with equal or superior utility for the postmining land use when compared with the
utility of the naturally occurring premine vegetation. Neither species provides any utility towards
supporting the premining land use.
Three of the species are perennial cool season greases and one specie is a perennial forb. All of the
species are found throughout the premine area on all soil types and moisture regimes. The grass species
all provide the qualities for excellent erosion stock use. All four species of vegetation exhibit high utility
towards the premine land use.
It is important to note that the species exhibiting the greatest contribution to the premine vegetative
diversity is the Kentucky Bluegrass, Poa pratensis, which is not considered a native. It exhibits nearly
23% of the diversity, over twice that of the next dominant species, Western Wheatgrass, Agropyron
smi hii, at nearly 11%. Kentucky Bluegrass is an excellent example of how introduced grass species can
be a valuable component of a postmining vegetative community just as they are in the premining
vegetative community.
Species diversity for the postmine vegetative community will be determined in the same manner as the
premine inventory. Cover data will be collected using a point frame placed at random points along
randomly located transects. Overall, postmine data collection methods will duplicate premine data
collection methods.
The revegetation objective for diversity will be to establish a community on the reclaimed areas that
contain the following;
a) At least four principle species including a minimum of three cool season perennial grasses and a
minimum of 1 perennial forb.
b) Each principal species shall contribute no less than 3% relative cover
c) No single species shall contribute in excess of 50% relative cover.
The four species will contribute to the structure and stability of the postmining vegetative community to
insure that the postmining land use as addressed in Section 4.16, Post-mining Land Use, will be sustained.
Rule 4 Performance Standards 4.15-11 Revision Date: 6/23/08
Revision No.: MR-91