Laserfiche WebLink
on reclaimed Area 1 does not meet the cover standard for Phase <br /> II bond release. <br /> The report submitted by the operator had included three <br /> noxious weed species in the cover results for Area 2 . These <br /> noxious weed species are Cardaria pubescens (white top) , <br /> Centaurea repens (Russian knapweed) , and Convolvulus arvensis <br /> (field bindweed) and accounted for 2 . 50a of the mean cover <br /> (11 .4216 relative cover) . These species are not present in. the <br /> reference area, nor are they desirable or indicative of a <br /> diverse, effective and permanent vegetation cover as required <br /> by Rule 4 . 15 . 1 (1) . The Coal Guidelines describe a stand <br /> containing greater than 316 relative cover of noxious weed <br /> species as indicative of a noxious weed problem, and recommend <br /> weed management activities be implemented. <br /> The mean vegetative cover on Area 2 (after noxious weed cover <br /> and annuals greater than the amount present in the reference <br /> area were removed) was calculated at 14 . 19% with a standard <br /> deviation of 4 .97. The calculated t value was 3 .51. The one- <br /> tailed t test value at 26 degrees of freedom and 906 <br /> confidence is 1. 315 . The calculated value is significantly <br /> higher than the table indicating that the reclaimed Area 2 <br /> cover does not meet the vegetative cover requirement for Phase <br /> II bond release. Analysis of the cover data shows that 7 . 2816 <br /> mean cover (35% relative cover) is composed of annuals, <br /> biennials and noxious weed species, whereas 2 . 95% relative <br /> cover in the reference are is due to annuals . <br /> Corrective actions to improve the vegetative cover <br /> requirements could include but are not limited to: <br /> 1. Continued spraying to eliminate noxious weeds . <br /> 2 . Limited grazing to increase cool season <br /> grasses and eliminate some annual weeds . <br /> 3 . Limited supplemental seeding. <br /> You have the right to an adjudicatory hearing as outlined <br /> under Rule 3 . 03 .2 (6) . The request for a hearing must be <br /> written, must state with specificity the reasons- why the <br /> hearing is requested and must be received within 30 days of <br /> the Division' s first publication of its proposed decision. <br /> 5 <br />