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C. The Division has previously approved the following revegetation success criteria for <br />the King II Mine based on the results of a pre- mining vegetation survey. The criteria <br />will provide an adequate basis for verifying the ability of the revegetated lands to <br />support the post- mining land uses of rangeland and wildlife habitat. <br />Cover — A statistical comparison of samples of total vegetation collected from <br />revegetated areas and a rabbitbrush /big sage mixed shrubland reference area. <br />Student's t test will be used to test the null hypothesis that the sample mean for <br />revegetated parcel cover is equal to or greater than 90 percent of the value of <br />the corresponding cover success criterion, in accordance with Rule 4.15.7. <br />2. Production - A statistical comparison of samples of total herbaceous <br />production collected from revegetated areas and a rabbitbrush/big sage mixed <br />shrubland reference area. Student's t test will be used to test the null <br />hypothesis that the sample mean for revegetated parcel production is equal to <br />or greater than 90 percent of the value of the corresponding production success <br />criterion, in accordance with Rule 4.15.7. <br />Woody Plant Density — 90% of 500 stems /acre, with 90 percent confidence. <br />4. Species Diversity — The criteria for species diversity is a minimum of 6 <br />perennial species, comprised of: <br />Minimum of 3 graminoids, 1 forb, and 2 shrubs; <br />All cool season, deciduous, or evergreen; <br />Minimum of 4 native species; <br />Minimum of 1 bunchgrass; <br />Minimum of 1 sod - forming grass; <br />Maximum 40% mean relative cover for each of the 6 species; <br />Minimum 2% mean relative cover for each of the 3 graminoids; <br />Minimum 1% relative cover for the 1 forb. <br />XII. Post - Mining Land Use — Rule 4.16 <br />Information pertaining to land use is presented in Section 2.04.3 of the permit application. <br />Information pertaining to the previously approved post- mining land use is found in Section <br />2.05.5 of the permit application. <br />The historical usage of the Hay Gulch area is varied. The bottom land areas have typically <br />been used to grow hay crops whereas the native upland regions have been used for cattle <br />grazing and wildlife habitat. Numerous abandoned coal mines dot the gulch uplands <br />where several coal seams outcropped. <br />GCC proposes to reclaim the disturbed acreage, excluding some facilities and the <br />combination haul /access road at the King I Mine, to the primary use of rangeland with a <br />23 <br />