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transect used for cover and shrub density sampling. The three clip plots were then averaged into <br />a single transect datum for purposes of statistical analysis. Since the Division's Bond Release <br />Guideline recommends that annuals, biennials, noxious weeds and shrub production are typically <br />not clipped, but since the Southfield Mine Permit requires that the production revegetation <br />success standard is based upon "total vegetative production" all annuals, biennials and noxious <br />weeds were clipped during the production sampling. However, after weighting the samples, it <br />was determined that noxious weeds contributed nothing to the overall production and hence they <br />are excluded from the summary tables and these data were not used for purposes of revegetation <br />success for production. For each reclamation area sampled, 10 production transects were <br />sampled. Following clipping the harvested plant materials were dried in a drying oven at 100 <br />degrees C for a period of 24 hours. <br />According to revised permit page 2.05.4 -27 the revegetation success standard for production is <br />based upon "total vegetative production" wherein "all plant species" are to be clipped. <br />Shrub Density. Starting at each transect location described above for the cover and production <br />sampling, the fifty - meter tape was laid out along a predetermined and randomly selected <br />alignment. Woody stem density was determined using the center of the tape as a modified belt <br />transect. The right -hand side of the transect was called Side A and the left -hand side of the tape <br />was called Side B. Data collected from each side were added into a transect value which <br />represents the number of shrubs sampled in the 100 m sample plot. These data are reported in <br />the Results Section as to the number of shrubs per 100 m as well as the number of shrubs per <br />acre as outlined in the Permit. <br />According to revised permit page 2.05.4 -27, submitted in connection with Minor Revision 48, <br />the woody plant revegetation success standard for the Southfield Mine is to be based on "revised <br />woody plant counts for the corresponding reference area as documented in the baseline <br />vegetation data." For the Southfield Loadout area, the woody plant revegetation success <br />standard is 6. 3 stems per acre." The woody plant density standard of the refuse area is reported <br />to be 7.6 stems per acre. According to revised permit page 2.05.4 -23, submitted in connection <br />with Minor Revision 48, there is no shrub density standard for the Corley property as "the <br />landowner has requested that shrubs and trees not be reestablished." <br />Sp;cies Diversity. The plant cover data collected on each cover transect yielded data relative to <br />absolute and relative cover. These cover data were then converted into percent composition or <br />relative plant cover by species based upon the total amount of plant cover encountered in each <br />sample transect. The relative importance values of plants growing on the reclaimed areas as <br />outlined in the Permit, contain standards as to the number of perennial grass species growing on <br />the reclaimed areas to ensure that a monoculture of a single plant or a few plants does not . <br />dominate the reclaimed areas. <br />As described on revised page 2.05.4 -27 of the Southfield Mine Permit, submitted in connection <br />with Minor Revision 48, the species diversity standard requires that for all revegetated areas at <br />the Southfield Mine site, the reclaimed plant community shall be composed of at least four <br />dominant species comprising no more than 80 percent of the total relative percent cover and that <br />4 <br />