Laserfiche WebLink
grazed by cattle and sheep. Sheep were on the mine site during the 2005 sampling event. The <br />reference area had not been grazed in 2005, nor was there evidence that it had been grazed in <br />previous years. Prior to the sampling effort in June 2006, the reclaimed mine pits had been grazed <br />by cattle. Cattle were on the mine site during the 2006 sampling event. There was no evidence that <br />sheep had been brought on to the property for grazing prior to the June 2006 sampling event. The <br />reference area had not been grazed in 2006, nor was there evidence that it had been grazed in <br />previous years. <br />Thirty 50-meter cover transects were collected on the reclaimed area in 2005. Sample adequacy <br />calculations using the adequacy formula referenced in the Division's Guideline Regarding Selected <br />Coal Mine Bond Release Issues, dated April 18, 1995, determined that the minimum number of <br />samples (Nmin) needed to achieve sample adequacy was 20.5. Sample adequacy was achieved for <br />the 2005 reclaimed area sample data. <br />Fifteen 25-meter cover transects were collected on the reference area in 2005. Sample adequacy <br />calculations using the adequacy formula referenced in the Division's Guideline Regarding Selected <br />Coal Mine Bond Release Issues, dated April 18, 1995, determined that the minimum number of <br />samples (Nmi,,) needed to achieve sample adequacy was 1.1. The shorter length transect was used on <br />the reference area due to the small size of the reference area. Sample adequacy was achieved for the <br />2005 reference area sample data. <br />Thirty 50-meter cover transects were collected on the reclaimed area in 2006. Sample adequacy <br />calculations using the adequacy formula referenced in the Division's Guideline Regarding Selected <br />Coal Mine Bond Release Issues, dated April 18, 1995, determined that the minimum number of <br />samples (Nmi,) needed to achieve sample adequacy was 24. Sample adequacy was achieved for the <br />2006 reclaimed area sample data. <br />Seven 25-meter cover transects were collected on the reference area in 2006. Sample adequacy <br />calculations using the adequacy formula referenced in the Division's Guideline Regarding Selected <br />Coal Mine Bond Release Issues, dated April 18, 1995, determined that the minimum number of <br />samples (Nmi„) needed to achieve sample adequacy was 2 (1.6). The shorter length transect was <br />used on the reference area due to the small size of the reference area. Sample adequacy was <br />achieved for the 2006 reference area sample data. <br />In 2005 and 2006, the reference area and reclaimed areas were managed differently. The reclaimed <br />areas were heavily grazed, the reference area was not grazed, and the grazing occurred prior to the <br />sampling events conducted in 2005 and 2006. As such, the Division considers comparison of the <br />reclaimed area vegetative data with that of the reference area somewhat moot due to the difference <br />of management of the reclaimed area versus reference area following permit revocation and bond <br />forfeiture, the fact that the reclaimed areas had been grazed prior to sampling while the reference <br />area had not been grazed, and the lack of jurisdiction over control of the land management by the <br />Division. Investigation of these data was nevertheless conducted for the purpose of documenting the <br />level of revegetation success. <br />2005 Reclaimed Area Cover <br />The results of the reclaimed area cover sampling that occurred in 2005 are as follows: <br />Grassy Gap TOJ 6/5/2009 10