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Cover. Revegetation success in terms of cover will be measured by comparing the total <br /> vegetative cover on the upland sagebrush reference area to the total vegetative cover on <br /> the reclaimed areas. Cover will be measured either by point intercept along a random line <br /> transect or by ocular cover estimates in randomly located sample quadrats. Only first hit <br /> vegetative cover for point intercept measurements or non-stratified cover for ocular <br /> estimates are to be used for evaluation of total vegetative cover and herbaceous cover. <br /> Vegetative cover of the revegetated area will be considered acceptable if it is not less <br /> than 90 percent of the total vegetative cover in the reference area with 90 percent <br /> statistical confidence. <br /> The reference area is to be used for the cover standard because of a lack of adequate <br /> dryland pasture areas in the vicinity for comparison. The reference area occurs on soils <br /> similar to .those used in reclamation and experiences the same climatic conditions, thus <br /> vegetation responses between the two areas should be similar. The cover in the <br /> reclaimed areas will be dominated by the herbaceous component and thus, for site <br /> stability and erosion control purposes, it will be more effective than a similar level of <br /> cover in the reference area where a greater proportion of the cover is allocated to the <br /> woody component. All revegetated areas that are covered under the current Colorado <br /> Permanent Regulatory Program, excluding areas which are to be redisturbed and which were <br /> previously mined, are to have the above standard applied. <br /> For those areas previously mined, and which are to be reaffected under the mine and <br /> reclamation plan detailed in Tabs 12 and 13, the requirements of Rule 4.15.10 apply. The <br /> ground cover (vegetation and litter) in these areas (including all or portions of Mining <br /> Areas 2, 3, and 4) will not be less than that which can be supported by the best available <br /> topsoil or other suitable material in the reaffected areas, will not be less than the <br /> ground cover existing before redisturbance, and will be adequate to control erosion. See <br /> Exhibit 22-1 "Postmine Vegetation Map - Nucla Mine" for identification of these areas. <br /> The results of cover sampling conducted during the summer of 1988 for the above areas are <br /> presented later in this tab in Appendix 22-1, Table 1 "Cover and Frequency Summary for <br /> Previously Reclaimed Areas, Mining Areas 2, 3, and 4 - Nucla Mine, 1988". <br /> As stated above, the ground cover existing before redisturbance was docume ed during the <br /> summer of 1988 by collecting cover data on previously reclaimed areas of isturbed by <br /> mining in the southeast portion of the Nucla Mine (generally, the N'h NE% Section 36 T47N <br /> R16W and the SWYA NWYA Section 31 T47N R15W). The ground cover value determined from this <br /> 22-11 Revised 07/25/91 <br />