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Approximately 70 acres were revegetated following construction of the Loadout and rail <br />loop facilities under the HG Mine permit (C1980-003). Plant species present in the <br />revegetated areas include intermediate wheatgrass, crested wheatgrass, western <br />wheatgrass, slender wheatgrass, Russian wildrye, timothy, alfalfa, and yellow sweet <br />clover. <br />Adjacent and undisturbed lands tend to have a high incidence of shrubs. Heavy use by <br />livestock grazing has aided in the increase of shrub densities. Post-mining communities <br />will be dryland pasture, improved pasture, and rangeland. Due to the narrow <br />(approximately 200-250 feet wide) configuration of the area designated as rangeland, no <br />woody plant density standard will be imposed on the rangeland area. The Division has <br />received confirmation from the Colorado Division of Wildlife in a letter dated March 10, <br />1993 that the absence of a woody plant component in the rangeland area would not be <br />detrimental to wildlife use and would increase the "edge" effect along adjacent shrublands. <br />Four seed mixes will be used. Each mix has been formulated for adaptation to a particular <br />land use and location for which it will be planted. HGTI proposes to include an <br />introduced legume, alfalfa, in the rangeland seed mix. The Division proposes to approve <br />the use of a less aggressive species of alfalfa, such as Medicag-o alcata, in small <br />quantities in the seed mix. <br />Drill seeding will be the preferred method of planting. Broadcast seeding or hydroseeding <br />will be employed where steep slopes or small areas limit accessibility of the seed drill. <br />Mulching will be achieved by use of a cover crop of winter wheat or barley. HGTI has <br />found that the use of straw mulch introduces undesirable weedy species into the reclaimed <br />area; therefore, the use of straw mulch will not be required. <br />Once areas are reclaimed at the Loadout, revegetation success will be monitored <br />qualitatively through visual observations. Quantitative sampling shall occur in the 3rd and <br />6th years after reclamation for cover, species, production, and woody plant density. <br />Reclamation success will be determined by comparison with associated reference areas. <br />Cover in the reclaimed areas will be estimated by the point-intercept method and shall be <br />deemed acceptable if it is greater or equal to 90% of the cover in the appropriate reference <br />area with 90% statistical confidence. <br />Vegetation production will be measured by harvesting 1/2 m2 to 1 m2 plots in both <br />reclaimed and reference areas. If production in the reclaimed area is 90% or more of the <br />associated reference area at a 90% statistical confidence, it shall be deemed acceptable. <br />Neither dryland or improved pasture designations will be required to meet a species <br />diversity standard since post-operational land use will be for agricultural use. The <br />rangeland areas will be differentiated by either upland rangeland or lowland rangeland. <br />Five perennial grasses with 50% or greater frequency each will be established in the <br />upland rangeland. Three of these grasses will contribute greater than 1 % relative cover. <br />A minimum of two forbs will be established with an occurrence of 50% or greater. At <br />least one shrub will be established with a frequency of 10% or greater. On lowland <br />23