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XI. Revegetation <br />The Division has previously approved the use of introduced species in the reclamation seed mix. <br />Introduced species are included in cropland, pastureland and rangeland seed mixes. The applicant has <br />submitted information which shows that the introduced species are desirable and necessary to achieve <br />the approved post-mining land use, and are not poisonous or noxious, (4.15.2). <br />Methods to measure herbaceous cover and production, species diversity, and woody plant density are <br />discussed beginning on pages 2.04-52 and 2.05-115 of the PAP for all disturbed areas, with the exception <br />of the Fish Creek Tipple area. These techniques include: <br />a) ten-meter transects using a ten point optical frame every one meter for a total of 100 "hits" to <br />evaluate vegetative cover; <br />b) clipping of three one-square-meter quadrants placed randomly along the cover transect. <br />followed by drying for 24 hours at 105 degrees and weighing to the nearest 0.1 gram for <br />productivity; <br />c) bagging by species during productivity analysis to determine species diversity; <br />d) shrub density will be evaluated using a modified point-center-quarter technique. <br />For the Fish Creek Tipple area the methodologies will be: <br />a) using fifty meter transects with ten points every five meters for 100 "hits" for determination of <br />cover; <br />b) determining production from the clipping of three meter squared quadrants placed randomly <br />along the cover transect; <br />c) determining woody stem density will be determined by counting rooted shrubs along a 2-meter <br />by 50-meter transect; <br />d) determining successful diversity will require two perennial grasses to exceed 5% composition <br />and one perennial forb to exceed 3% composition with no one species exceeding 40% <br />composition. <br />Specific details for the Fish Creek Tipple concerning revegetation success and sampling <br />methodologies can be found beginning on page 2.05-48 of Vol. VII of the PAP. <br />The Division has previously approved the use of these techniques (4.15.7(1)). <br />2. Comparisons between reclaimed and undisturbed areas, in order to demonstrate that success criteria of <br />4.15.8, 4.15.9, or 4.15. 10 have been met, will be based weighted means and variances relative to their <br />respective acreages and reference areas. Specific details concerning revegetation comparisons can be <br />found beginning on page 2.05-114 of the PAP. This excludes the Fish Creek Tipple which was <br />disturbed prior to implementation of the regulations. No topsoil was salvaged for this area. Stockpiled <br />topsoil not used at Energy Mine No. 3 has been transferred to the Foidel Creek Permit for distribution <br />at the Fish Creek Tipple. Cover and production requirements are based on standards. Woody stem <br />density is 1000 stems/acre for this area. Details related to determination of revegetation success at the <br />Fish Creek Tipple can be found beginning on page 2.05-48 of Vol. VII of the PAP. The Division <br />proposes to approve the basis for this comparison. <br />22