2010-02-24_REVISION - C1996083 (3)

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• 2.05.4(2)(e) (vi) Revegetation Success Initially, revegetation success will be qualitatively evaluated during routine inspections of the reclaimed sites. These evaluations shall in assessments of noxious weeds, species diversity and the general health of the vegetation. Results of these evaluations will be included in the annual reports. Reclaimed areas will be checked annually after snowmelt for the formation of rills and gullies. To document each inspection, a report will be prepared and be made available for inspections as required under Rule 5.02.4. Rills and gullies deeper than nine inches will be noted in the report. By the end of August of the same year, laborers or small equipment will be used to fill, grade or otherwise stabilize rills and gullies deeper than nine inches. The repaired area will be seeded and mulched by the end of the same year. Mulch will be anchored to the ground with netting if appropriate. Revegetation will be monitored once during the third to fifth years of the liability period based on the results of a visual assessment of the vegetation and in consultation with the Division. Should the reclamation appear successful and the vegetation warrant such, monitoring data will be collected in preparation for a Phase II bond release application. Absolute cover data will be collected to adequacy in both reclaimed and reference areas. Multiple hit data will not be collected. An estimate of the species diversity success will be based on first hit data which, in the case of a herb dominated community, is highly correlated with multiple hit data. Should the reclaimed areas not be candidates for a Phase II bond release application, cover data will not necessarily be collected to adequacy. Should the reclamation and revegetation successfully meet the requirements, quantitative sampling will be carried out in years nine and ten of the bond liability period. Methods will be consistent with the methods and analytical techniques used during the baseline study except that woody stem density sampling would not be carried out because no standard applies. Three major communities were mapped as part of the 1995 baseline study - Juniper Woodland, Mixed Shrub and Disturbed Meadow. Following is a discussion of how revegetation success will be measured for each major community. As stated above, the intent of the revegetation plan is to reestablish a wildlife land use that is equal to or better than the existing conditions, fewer shrubs will be replaced so as to balance the grass forage production against the shrub cover needs of wildlife. Additionally, one seed mix will be utilized for the PR -12 2.05-76 02/10