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XI. Reveoetation <br />B. Small depressions in the backfill will be used to minimize erosion, create <br />or enhance wildlife habitat, conserve soil moisture, and promote revegetation. <br />The Division proposes to approve their construction (4.14.2(3)). <br />A. The Division proposes to approve the use of introduced species in the <br />reclamation seed mix. The applicant submitted information that shows that the <br />introduced species are desirable and necessary to achieve the approved <br />post- mining land use, and they are not poisonous or noxious (4.15.2(3)). <br />B. Methods to measure herbaceous cover and production, species diversity, <br />and woody plant density are discussed on pages 2.05 -51 to 2.05- 51(e). These <br />techniques include 25 meter intercept transects for evaluation of cover and <br />diversity. Ground cover will be evaluated along each transect by sampling two <br />points, each one meter apart, at one meter intervals. Composition will also be <br />recorded to determine the relative cover provided by each species, grouped by <br />cool season grasses, warm season grasses, and forbs. Production comparison <br />will be made by clipping six 0.1 m plots located along each 25 meter transect. <br />Production from the reclaimed area will be compared against production on the <br />reference area. Woody plant density belt transects 2 meters wide will be located <br />on the opposite side of the 25 meter transect. All shrub and tree species which <br />are alive and healthy and that have been established longer than two growing <br />seasons will be identified and counted. The Division proposes to approve of <br />these techniques (4.15.7(1)). <br />C. Comparisons between reclaimed and undisturbed areas, in order to <br />demonstrate that success criteria of 4.15.8, 4.15.9, or 4.15.10 have been met, <br />will be based on the following: <br />Cover — Herbaceous cover shall be greater than or equal to 90% of the <br />reference area cover (or other approved cover standard). Comparison will be <br />made with the results valid at the 90% confidence level, using a one -sided test <br />with a .10 alpha error probability. <br />Production — Herbaceous production shall be greater than or equal to 90% <br />of the reference area production. Comparison will be made with results valid at <br />the 90% confidence level, using a one -sided test with a 0.10 alpha error <br />probability. <br />Diversity — Species diversity will be deemed adequate when the reclaimed <br />lands consist of a minimum of 2 cool season grasses, 2 warm season grasses, <br />and 1 forb. These species shall comprise at least 5% and no more than 60% <br />relative cover and shall consist of perennial, non - noxious species. <br />Woody plant density — The woody plant density standard for the wildlife <br />13 <br />