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was sampled adequately. All mining areas must contain at least two warm season perennial grasses, one <br />cool season perennial grass and one perennial forb with each contributing greater than 3 percent and less <br />than 40 percent relative cover to meet the species diversity success standard in accordance with page <br />2.05 -28 of the permit. <br />Mine Area No. I and 3.4 acre Area Associated with Topsoil Stockpile No. 1: <br />In 2010 the mean total percent cover was found to be 35.72 %, total perennial cover was found to be <br />30.72 %. In 2011, the mean total percent cover was found to be 41.46 %; total perennial cover was found <br />to be 36.54 %. For this area, a comparison was made to a weighted average of the mean total perennial <br />cover found within Sagebrush Reference Area A and the Grassland Reference Area. The success <br />standard was found to be 20.35% and 19.04% mean total perennial cover in 2010 and 2011 respectively. <br />By direct comparison, Mine Area No. 1 exceeded the success standard. The dominant grass species <br />found in 2010 was Needle and Thread (Stipa comate), Blue Grama (Bouteloua gracilis) and Indian <br />Ricegrass (Oryzopsis hymenoides). The dominant forb found at the site was Scarlet Globemallow <br />(Sphaeralcea coccinea) and Russian thistle (Salsola australis). In 2011 the dominant grass species <br />found at the site were Sand Dropseed (Sporobolus cryptandrus), Blue Grama, Indian Ricegrass and <br />Needle and Thread. The dominant forb found at the site was Scarlet Globemallow and Russian thistle. <br />Annuals and noxious weeds were not counted toward revegetation success for cover. Although some <br />portions of the reclamation still retain a higher percentage of annuals than is often seen in a permanent <br />stand eight years or older, removing that portion of the cover value attributed to annual and biennial <br />species, the reclaimed area still exceeds the weighted reference area success standard for vegetation <br />cover. <br />In 2010, six perennial species met the required relative cover percentages set for the species diversity <br />success standard. The warm season perennial grasses that met the criteria were Blue Grama and Sand <br />Dropseed. The cool season perennial grasses were Indian Ricegrass, Bottlebrush Squirreltail (Sitanion <br />hysterix) and Needle and Thread. The perennial forb was Scarlet Globemallow. The species diversity <br />success standard was met for Mine Area No. 1 in 2010. In 2011, five perennial species met the required <br />relative cover percentages set for species diversity success standard. The warm season perennial grasses <br />that met the criteria were Blue Grama and Sand Dropseed. The cool season perennial grasses were <br />Indian Ricegrass and Needle and Thread. The perennial forb was Scarlet Globemallow. The species <br />diversity success standard was met for Mine Area No. 1 in 2011. <br />Production was significantly higher in Mine Area No. 1 than the reference areas. In 2010 average <br />perennial production at Mine Area No. 1 was 344.5 lbs /acre. The weighted success standard for this <br />mine area was found to be 87.19 lbs /acre. In 2011, the average perennial production was 419 lbs /acre. <br />The weighted success standard was 160.70 lbs /acre. The sample size was adequate and by direct <br />comparison, Mine area No. l exceeded the success criteria for production. <br />The 3.4 acre parcel discussed above encompassing the Topsoil Stockpile No. 1 area was included in the <br />2010 and 2011 revegetation sampling for Mine Area 1. Given that this entire area was found to meet <br />and exceed the success standards for revegetation, the 3.4 acre parcel is eligible for both Phase II and <br />Phase III bond release in regards to revegetation success. <br />Page 11 of 16 <br />