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VI. Backfilling and Grading — Rule 4.14 <br />A. The Division approved the applicant' s plan for disposal of acid - forming materials in such a <br />manner as to prevent leaching into surface and ground water and to ensure backfill stability. <br />(4.14.3(2)). <br />VII. Revegetation — Rule 4.15 <br />A. The Division approved the use of introduced species in the reclamation seed mix. The applicant <br />has submitted information which shows that the introduced species are desirable and necessary to <br />achieve the approved post - mining land use, and are not poisonous or noxious. (4.15.2). <br />B. The Division approved the use of straw mulch at the rate of 4,000 pounds per acre as a means to <br />meet soil stabilization requirements. (4.15.4). <br />C. Methods to measure herbaceous cover and production, species diversity, and woody plant <br />density are discussed on pages 2.05 -26, 27 and 28 of the permit application package. Vegetative <br />cover will be estimated by the point- intercept method, using an optical point frame for sampling <br />on 50 -meter transects. Herbaceous production will be estimated by clipping current year' s <br />growth from herbaceous plants within one meter square plots. Woody plant density may be <br />estimated during vegetation monitoring, but a success standard will not apply at this site. <br />Species diversity will be determined based upon cover data. The Division has previously <br />approved these techniques. (4.15.7(1)). <br />D. Comparisons between reclaimed and undisturbed areas, in order to demonstrate that success <br />criteria of 4.15.8, 4.15.9, or 4.15.10 have been met, will be based on the following: Weighted <br />area comparisons between reference and reclaimed areas will be made for cover and production, <br />as described in Rule 4.15.7(4)(b). A species diversity standard based on baseline data was set. <br />Successful species diversity will be attained if at least two perennial warm season grasses, one <br />cool season perennial grass, and one perennial forb account for between 3 and 40 percent of <br />relative cover each. <br />The Division proposes to approve the basis for this comparison. <br />E. The Division proposes to approve of the reference areas which the applicant has selected based <br />on the requirements of Rule 4.15.7(3). <br />F. The reference areas will be utilized to determine revegetation success in a manner that the <br />Division finds acceptable. 4.15.7(4)). <br />G. The Division finds that a woody plant density standard is not necessary for this site based on <br />information provided by the applicant, the Colorado Division of Wildlife and the surface owner. <br />VIII. Post - Mining Land Use — Rule 4.16 <br />A. The Division has approved the post- mining land uses of range and wildlife habitat. (4.16). <br />April 3, 2012 <br />RN4 <br />19 <br />