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3. Continued: The allowable relative cover contribution of annual and biennial <br />species should not exceed 10 percent, or the relative cover or such species in the <br />associated reference area or approved technical standard whichever is higher. Annual <br />or biennial cover in excess of this threshold should be deleted from the reclaimed area <br />data prior to success comparison. An acceptable alternative approach is to delete all <br />annual and biennial cover from both the reference area data and reclaimed area data <br />prior to success comparison. For purposes of runoff or sediment modeling, annual and <br />biennial cover which is not counted toward the revegetation success standard should be <br />converted to "bare ground " unless "second hit" cover data demonstrate that <br />conversion to "litter" would be appropriate. <br />Response: As documented in Appendix 1 -Table 1, Irrigated Pasture Reclamation <br />Phase II Study Area - 2008 Plant Cover and Appendix 1 -Table 2, Irrigated Pasture <br />Reference Area - 2008 Plant Cover, "allowable plant cover "data obtained from the <br />2008 reclaimed area and reference area sampling document that the cover contribution <br />of "annuals and biennials" and "noxious weeds" has been deleted from the probable <br />revegetation success value. Therefore, no further adjustments for plant cover are <br />necessary. With respect to runoff or sediment modeling calculations, the value of 71.35 <br />percent "allowable plant cover" will be used for the 2008 Phase II reclaimed area, <br />runoff and sediment calculations. <br />3. Continued: The revegetation section of the release application should include a <br />description of the sampling methods used, success standard comparisons, and statistical <br />procedures (including sample adequacy calculations and statistical tests). Summarized <br />transect data (total vegetation cover and absolute cover by species, rock, soil, or litter, <br />for each transect) should be presented in addition to the sample statistics for total <br />plant cover, and absolute and relative cover by species for the entire area sampled. <br />The sample mean for litter, rock, and bare ground should also be presented. The cover <br />contributed by noxious weed species and "excess" annuals and biennials should be <br />discounted (i.e., subtracted from each sample observation) prior to success comparison <br />and statistical comparison. <br />Response: A through discussion of the sampling methods used in the 2008 vegetation <br />sampling efforts are found in the attached reports. The revegetation success standards <br />as contained in the Permit have been cited previously. The sample adequacy <br />calculations were as calculated from the "allowable plant cover" as presented <br />previously. No statistical tests were needed, since sample adequacy was achieved on <br />both sites and Rule 4.15.11(2)(a) allows a direct comparison of revegetation success, if <br />sample adequacy is achieved. Data for total plant cover, absolute and relative cover <br />along with mean values for litter, rock and bare ground are found in Appendix 1 -Table <br />1, Irrigated Pasture Reclamation Phase II Study Area - 2008 Plant Cover and <br />Appendix 1 -Table 2, Irrigated Pasture Reference Area - 2008 Plant Cover. No <br />noxious weeds, as defined in the NH2 Permit, were encountered in the 2008 sampling <br />SL -14 03DEC12.wpd 27 <br />