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rangeland, six grasses will be established each with 50% or greater frequency (with four of <br />the grasses contributing more than one percent relative cover each). A minimum of one <br />forb, with greater than 50% frequency, will be present in the lowland rangeland type. <br />Cool season species are expected to dominate due to the environmental conditions of the <br />permit area. Species chosen in the seed mixes reflect cool season adaptations. Three <br />warm season species are included in the rangeland mix. <br />Grazing will be permitted on the reclaimed areas with careful and proper management. <br />Fencing will be installed to reflect logical management units. <br />Based on the information in the revegetation sections of the permit, the Division makes <br />the following findings. <br />1. The Division proposes to approve the use of introduced species in the reclamation <br />seed mix. The applicant has submitted information which shows that the introduced <br />species are desirable and necessary to achieve the approved post-mining land use of <br />range and wildlife use and that the introduced plants are not poisonous or noxious <br />(4.15.2). <br />2. The Division proposes to approve the use of cover crops as a means to meet soil <br />stabilization requirements. (4.15.4) <br />3. Methods to measure herbaceous cover and production, species diversity, and woody <br />plant density are discussed in Tab 20 of the permit application. These techniques <br />include the use of reference areas to set standards for total cover, herbaceous <br />productivity and species diversity. The Division proposes to approve these <br />techniques (4.15.7(1)). <br />4. Comparisons between reclaimed and undisturbed areas, in order to demonstrate that <br />success criteria of 4.15.8, 4.15.9, or 4.15. 10 have been met, will be based on the <br />following values: 1) total cover, 2) herbaceous productivity, 3) woody plant stem <br />density, 4) species diversity, and 5) frequency (4.15.7(2)(d)). <br />5. The Division proposes to approve of the reference areas which <br />the applicant has selected based on the requirements of Rule 4.15.7(3). <br />6. The reference areas will be utilized to determine revegetation success in a manner <br />which the Division finds acceptable (4.15.7(4)). <br />7. The Division finds that the use of a woody plant density standard is not appropriate <br />for the rangeland portion of the Loadout, as discussed previously in this section. <br />(4.15.8(7)) <br />XI. POST-MINING LAND USE <br />24