Wyoming Administrative Code › Agency 020 - Environmental Quality, Dept. of › Sub-Agency 0006 - Land Quality - Coal › Appendix 4A

Current through July 13, 2024
A. Evaluation of Shrub Density
Introduction
All "eligible lands", as defined in Chapter 1, Section 2(am),
				shall be subject to the standard. Except where a lesser density is justified by
				premining conditions, at least 20 percent of the eligible land shall be
				restored to shrub patches supporting an average density of one shrub per square
				meter.
The postmining areal extent of shrub patches and specific shrub
				density(ies) shall be based on the original premining shrub densities in each
				vegetation community and the percentage each community contributes to the total
				eligible land existing in the original permit area and any lands added to the
				permit area through the amendment process.
Premine community(ies) identified and sampled during the
				baseline studies shall serve as the target for bond release unless otherwise
				approved by the Administrator.
For bond release purposes, the average postmine total density
				and species specific density(ies) shall be at least 90 percent of the
				calculated criteria for the applicable standard.
CALCULATING THE REQUIRED POSTMINE DENSITY AND SPECIES
				COMPOSTION
In order to calculate density and composition, the following
				must be identified:
1. Areal extent and premining total density of eligible land by
				vegetation community;
2. Relative density for each species;
3. Dominant premine species which then becomes the target
				postmine species;
4. Density of target postmine species using the formula
D
[1/(
N
+1)];
5. Allowable density of postmining residual species; and
6. Acceptable residual species.
* D is the postmining total shrub density. When D is less than
				1.00, the density of the target postmining species is reduced proportionately.
				N is the number of primary premining shrub and subshrub species.
Identification of available options
Option
Identification
Premine
I
Reduced permit-wide full shrub standard
20%@=1/
M
2
II
Permit-wide full shrub standard
=20%@=1/
M
2
III
Community-specific full shrub standard
No restrictions
IV
Community-specific full and subshrub standard
No restriction - add subshrubs
The operator shall select one option only for bond release
				purposes within each permit or amendment area.
Option I: Permit-wide full shrub density standard; reduction in
				areal extent; composition based on premining full shrub density only (see
				Figure 1 for an illustration of this Option). For bond release purposes, no
				more than two separate acreage/density standards shall be used.
1. Reductions in areal extent and shrub density shall be
				appropriate when the premining vegetation community(ies) supporting at least
				one shrub per square meter comprised less than 20 percent of the eligible land.
				The percentage this community contributed to the total eligible land would then
				become the percentage of the postmining landscape that is required to support
				one shrub per square meter. The remainder of the postmining 20 percent areal
				extent of shrub patches shall be required to support shrubs at a density
				equaling the next highest density existing in a premining community.
2. Compute the relative premining dominance of full shrub
				species based on a weighted average of the percent areal extent of all
				vegetation communities and their associated full shrub species present within
				the eligible land. In this instance, one shrub patch seed mixture will be
				developed for the entire 20 percent areal extent.
3. From the information calculated in step 2. above, identify
				the dominant premine full shrub species. This species then becomes the target
				postmine species within the postmine shrub patches.
4. Compute the minimum density that the postmining target shrub
				(identified in step 3. above) must meet in order to achieve bond release under
				the standard. This is accomplished by applying the following equation:
D
[1/(
N
+1)]
D is the postmining total shrub density (D is always [LESS THAN
				EQUAL TO] 1.00). N is the number of primary shrub species existing in the
				premining communities as identified in step 2. above. Primary shrub species
				shall be defined as full shrub species which comprise at least 10 percent of
				the relative density of full shrubs.
All primary shrub species shall be included in the shrub patch
				seed mixture.
5. The postmining residual density is calculated by subtracting
				the minimum required density of the target species from the total required
				density.
6. Residual density may be comprised of any premining primary
				species and any other approved full shrub species. In addition, the following
				subshrub species may be counted towards up to one half of the residual
				density.
Artemisia frigida
fringed sagewort
Atriplex gardneri/gordonii
Gardners
				saltbush
Ceratoides lanata
winterfat
Artemisia pedatifida
birdfoot sagewort
Artemisia spinescens
bud sagewort
FIGURE 1
OPTION I: PERMIT-WIDE SHRUB DENSITY, REDUCTION OF DENSITY
				POSSIBLE COMPOSITION BASED ON FULL SHRUBS
Note: No reduction of density is possible when 20 percent or
				more of the eligible acreage supports a premining total shrub density of over 1
				shrub per square meter.
TABLE 1
Vegetation Community
Number of Acres
Affected
Following Rule
Approval
Percent Eligible Acreage
Premining Total Shrub Density per
						  m2 (1)
Premining Total Shrub Number
Mixed Shrubland
364.00
18.2
1.20
1,767,730
Upland Grassland
1506.00
75.3
0.80
4,875,826
Scoria Grassland
80.00
4.0
0.30
97,128
Drainage Bottomland
50.00
2.5
0.20
40,470
Pastureland (2)
300.00
n/a
n/a
n/a
Total Eligible Acreage
2000.00
Premining No. of Shrubs
6,781,153
Total Acreage
2300.00
________
% Eligible/Total
86.96
____________________________________________________________________
(1) When the permit-wide standard is applied, premining
						  density may be calculated from full shrubs only.
(2) Pastureland excluded by regulation
TABLE 2
Click To View
				Image
TABLE 3 - Option I, Figure 1 continued
Relative Density Information for
						  Species
Note: Relative density is calculated by number of
						  individuals of each species divided by total number of individuals.
The value of the dominant species for each type is
						  shaded []
Mixed Shrubland
Upland Grassland
Scoria Grassland
Drainage Bottomland
Weighted Average Relative Density**
Silver sagebrush
0.06
0.28
0.02
Big sagebrush
0.63
0.39
0.35
0.11
0.43
Fourwing saltbush
0.03
0.02
Black sagebrush
0.06
0.18
0.05
Rubber rabbitbrush
0.19
0.13
0.13
Douglas rabbitbrush
0.27
0.18
0.21
Wax currant
0.05
0.00
Skunkbrush sumac
0.12
0.20
0.03
Greasewood
0.61
0.02
Common snowberry
0.12
0.04
0.09
Full Shrub Total
1.00
1.00
1.00
1.00
1.00
Fringed sagewort*
0.21
0.03
0.06
Gardner's saltbush*
0.28
0.21
Winterfat*
0.08
0.00
All Full
						  Shrubs/m2*
1.20
0.80
0.30
0.20
* excludes these subshrubs, which are not allowed to be
						  included in Option I, II or III.
** Calculated by summing across communities the
						  individual species density times the percent eligible acreage of each community
						  divided by 100
Option II: Permit-wide full shrub density standard, no
				reduction in areal extent or density, composition based on premining full shrub
				density only (see Figure 2 for an illustration of  Option
II
).
1. If 20 percent or more of the premine eligible land supports
				at least 1 shrub per square meter, no reduction in shrub density or areal
				extent shall be permitted.
2. Compute the relative premining density of full shrub species
				based on a weighted average of the percent areal extent of all vegetation
				communities and their associated full shrub species present on eligible land.
				In this instance, one shrub patch seed mixture will be developed for the entire
				20 percent areal extent.
3. From the information calculated in step 2. above, identify
				the dominant premine full shrub species. This species then becomes the target
				postmine species within the postmine shrub patches.
4. Compute the minimum density that the postmining target shrub
				(identified in step 3. above) must meet I order to achieve bond release under
				the standard. This is accomplished by applying the following equation:
D
[1/(
N
+1)]
D is the postmining total shrub density (D is always [LESS THAN
				EQUAL TO] 1.00). N is the number of primary shrub species existing in the
				premining communities as identified in step 2. above. Primary shrub species
				shall be defined as full shrub species which comprise at least 10 percent of
				the relative density of full shrubs.
All primary shrub species shall be included in the shrub patch
				seed mixture.
5. The postmining residual density is calculated by subtracting
				the minimum required density of the target species from 1.00.
6. Residual density may be comprised of any premining primary
				species and other approved full shrub species. In addition, the following
				subshrub species may be counted towards up to one half of the residual
				density.
Artemisia frigida
fringed sagewort
Atriplex gardneri/gordonii
Gardners
				saltbush
Ceratoides lanata
winterfat
Artemisia pedatifida
birdfoot sagewort
Artemisia spinescens
bud sagewort
FIGURE 2
OPTION II: PERMIT-WIDE SHRUB DENSITY, NO DENSITY
				REDUCTION POSSIBLE COMPOSITION BASED ON FULL SHRUBS
Note: No reduction of density is possible when 20 percent or
				more of the eligible acreage supports a premining total shrub density of over 1
				shrub per square meter
TABLE 1
Vegetation Community
Number of Acres
Affected Following
Rule Approval
Percent Eligible Acreage
Premining Total
Shrub Density
per m2 (1)
Premining Total Shrub Number
Mixed Shrubland
444.00
22.2
1.20
2,156,242
Upland Grassland
1426.00
71.3
0.80
4,616,818
Scoria Grassland
80.00
4.0
0.30
97,128
Drainage Bottomland
50.00
2.5
0.20
40,470
Pastureland (2)
300.00
n/a
n/a
n/a
Total Eligible Acreage
2000.00
Premining No. of Shrubs
6,910,657
Total Acreage
2300.00
________
% Eligible/Total
86.96
____________________________________________________________________
(1) When the permit-wide standard is applied, premining
						  density may be calculated from full shrubs only.
(2) Pastureland excluded by regulation
TABLE 2
TABLE 3 - Option II, Figure 2 continued
Relative Density Information for
						  Species
Note: Relative density is calculated by number of
						  individuals of each species divided by total number of individuals.
The value of the dominant species for each type is
						  shaded []
Mixed Shrubland
Upland Grassland
Scoria Grassland
Drainage Bottomland
Weighted Average Relative Density**
Silver sagebrush
0.06
0.28
0.02
Big sagebrush
0.63
0.39
0.35
0.11
0.43
Fourwing saltbush
0.03
0.02
Black sagebrush
0.06
0.18
0.05
Rubber rabbitbrush
0.19
0.13
0.13
Douglas rabbitbrush
0.27
0.18
0.21
Wax currant
0.05
0.00
Skunkbrush sumac
0.12
0.20
0.03
Greasewood
0.61
0.02
Common snowberry
0.12
0.04
0.09
Full Shrub Total
1.00
1.00
1.00
1.00
1.00
Fringed sagewort*
0.21
0.03
0.06
Gardner's saltbush*
0.28
0.21
Winterfat*
0.08
0.00
All Full
						  Shrubs/m2*
1.20
0.80
0.30
0.20
* excludes these subshrubs, which are not allowed to be
						  included in Option I, II or III.
** Calculated by summing across communities the
						  individual species density times the percent eligible acreage of each community
						  divided by 100
Option III: Community-specific full shrub density standard (see
				Figure 3 for an illustration of this Option).
1. Each eligible premining vegetation community serves as the
				basis for developing the required postmine density and areal extent. The
				percentage each community contributes to the total eligible land is multiplied
				by 20 percent to establish the number of acres required on the postmining
				landscape. The average number of full shrubs each community supported premine
				serves as the postmine average density for that particular community.
2. Compute the relative premining dominance of all full shrub
				species within each eligible vegetation community. In this instance, one shrub
				patch seed mixture will be developed for each eligible vegetation
				community.
3. From the information calculated in step 2. above, identify
				the dominant premine full shrub species within each eligible vegetation
				community. This species then becomes the target postmine species within a
				particular shrub patch corresponding to a specific vegetation community.
4. Compute the minimum density that the postmining target shrub
				(identified in step 3. above) must meet in order to achieve bond release under
				the standard. This is accomplished by applying the following equation:
D
[1/(
N
+ 1)]
D is the postmining total shrub density (D is always [LESS THAN
				EQUAL TO] 1.00). N is the number of primary shrub species existing in the
				premining communities as identified in step 2. above. Primary shrub species
				shall be defined as full shrub species which comprise at least 10 percent of
				the relative density of full shrubs.
All primary shrub species shall be included I the respective
				shrub patch seed mixtures.
5. The postmining residual density is calculated by subtracting
				the minimum required density of the target species with each vegetation
				community from the total required density for that community.
6. Residual density may be comprised of any premining primary
				species and any other approved full shrub species. In addition, the following
				subshrub species may be counted towards up to one half of the residual density
				with each community.
Artemisia frigida
fringed sagewort
Atriplex gardneri/gordonii
Gardners
				saltbush
Ceratoides lanata
winterfat
Artemisia pedatifida
birdfoot sagewort
Artemisia spinescens
bud sagewort
OPTION III: COMMUNITY SPECIFIC SHRUB DENSITY -
				COMPOSITION BASED ON FULL SHRUBS ONLY
TABLE 1
Vegetation Community
Number of Acres Affected
Following Rule
Approval
Percent Eligible Acreage
Premining Total Shrub Density per
m2
Premining
Total Shrub
Number
Postmining
Total
Shrub
Density
						  m2
"D"
N
Dominant Species
D x (1/N+1)
Density of
Dominant
per m2
Density of
Residual
Shrubs
per m2
Approved
Subshrubs
per m2
20%
Acreage
Reclaimed
with
Shrubs
Number of
Shrubs Established
Mixed Shrubland
364
18.2
1.20
1,767,730
1.00
3
Big Sagebrush
0.25
0.38
0.38
72.80
294,622
Upland Grassland
1506
75.3
0.80
4,875,826
0.80
4
Big Sagebrush
0.16
0.32
0.32
301.20
975,165
Scoria Grassland
80
4.0
0.30
97,128
0.30
4
Big Sagebrush
0.06
0.12
0.12
16.00
19,426
Drainage Bottomland
50
2.5
0.20
40,470
0.20
3
Greasewood
0.05
0.08
0.08
10.00
8,094
Pastureland (1)
300
n/a
n/a
Total Postmining Shrub Acres
400.00
Total Eligible Acreage
2000
Premining No. of Shrubs
6,781,153
Postmining No. of Shrubs
1,297,306
Total Acreage
2300
% Eligible/Total
___________________
87.0
________
(1) pastureland excluded by
						  regulation
* D = Postmining Total Shrub Density (e.g. 0.8 x
						  [1(4+1)] = 0.16)
TABLE 2 - Option 3, Figure 3 continued
Relative Density Information for Species - Full
						  Shrub Only
The value of the dominant species for each type
						  is shaded. []
Mixed Shrubland
Upland Grassland
Scoria Grassland
Drainage Bottomland
Silver sagebrush
0.06
0.38
Big sagebrush
0.63
0.39
0.35
0.11
Fourwing saltbrush
0.03
Black sagebrush
0.06
0.18
Rubber rabbitbrush
0.19
0.13
Douglas rabbitbrush
0.27
0.18
Wax currant
0.05
Skunkbrush sumac
0.12
0.20
Greasewood
0.51
Common snowberry
0.12
0.04
Full Shrub Total
1.00
1.00
1.00
1.00
Fringed sagewort*
0.21
0.03
Gardner's saltbush*
0.28
Winterfat*
0.08
Number shrubs [GREATER THAN EQUAL TO] .1
3
4
4
3
All Full Shrubs/m2
1.20
0.80
0.30
0.20
*excludes these subshrubs, which are not allowed to be
						  included in Option I, II or III.
Option IV: Community-specific full shrub and approved subshrub
				density standard (see Figure 4 for an illustration of this Option)
1. Each eligible premining vegetation community serves as the
				basis for developing the required postmine density and areal extent. The
				percentage each community contributes to the total eligible land is multiplied
				by 20 percent to establish the number of acres required on the postmining
				landscape. The average number of full shrubs and approved subshrubs each
				community supported premine serves as the postmine average density for that
				particular community.
The following are the approved subshrubs which shall be
				included in calculating the premining density within each community:
Artemisia frigida fringed sagewort
Atriplex gardneri/gordonii Gardners saltbush
Ceratoides lanata winterfat
2. Compare the relative premining dominance of full shrub and
				approved subshrub species within each eligible vegetation community. In this
				instance, one shrub patch seed mixture will be developed for each eligible
				vegetation community.
3. From the information calculated in step 2. above, identify
				the dominant premine full shrub or approved subshrub species with each eligible
				vegetation community. This species then becomes the target postmine species
				within a particular shrub patch corresponding to a specific vegetation
				community.
4. Compute the minimum density that the postmining target
				shrub/approved subshrub (identified in step 3. above) must meet in order to
				achieve bond release under the standard. This is accomplished by applying the
				following equation:
D
[1/(
N
+ 1)]
D is the postmining total shrub density (D is always [LESS THAN
				EQUAL TO] 1.00). N is the number of primary shrub/approved subshrub species
				existing in the premining communities as identified in step 2. above. Primary
				shrub/approved subshrub species shall be defined as full shrub/approved
				subshrub species which comprise at least 10 percent of the relative density of
				full shrubs. However, in order to be considered primary species, fringed
				sagewort must comprise at least 20 percent of the relative shrub/approved
				subshrub composition.
All primary shrub/approved subshrub species shall be included
				in the respective shrub patch seed mixtures.
5. The postmining residual density is calculated by subtracting
				the minimum required density of the target species within each vegetation
				community from the total required density for that community.
6. Residual density may be comprised of any premining primary
				full shrub/approved subshrub species and any other approved full shrub species.
				In addition, the following subshrub species may be counted towards up to one
				half of the residual density within each community.
Artemisia frigida
fringed sagewort
Atriplex gardneri/gordonii
Gardners
				saltbush
Ceratoides lanata
winterfat
Artemisia pedatifida
birdfoot sagewort
Artemisia spinescens
bud sagewort
OPTION IV: COMMUNITY SPECIFIC SHRUB DENSITY - COMPOSITION
				BASED ON FULL SHRUBS AND APPROVED SUBSHRUBS
TABLE 1
Vegetation Community
Number
of Acres
Affected
Following
Rule
Approval
Percent Eligible Acreage
Premining Total Shrub Density per
						  m2
Premining Total Shrub Number
Postmining Total Shrub Density
						  m2 "D"
N
Dominant Species
D x (1/N+1) Density of Dominant per
						  m2
Density of Residual Shrubs per
						  m2
Approved Subshrubs per
						  m2
20%
Acreage
Reclaimed
with
Shrubs
Number of
Shrubs
Established
Mixed Shrubland
364
18.2
1.40
2,062,351
1.00
3
Big Sagebrush
0.25
0.38
0.38
72.80
294,622
Upland Grassland
1506
75.3
1.10
6,704,260
1.00
3
Big Sagebrush
0.16
0.32
0.32
301.20
975,165
Scoria Grassland
80
4.0
0.30
97,128
0.30
4
Big Sagebrush
0.06
0.12
0.12
16.00
19,426
Drainage Bottomland
50
2.5
0.20
40,470
0.20
3
Greasewood
0.05
0.08
0.08
10.00
8,094
Pastureland (1)
300
n/a
n/a
Total Postmining Shrub Acres
400.00
Total Eligible
2000 Acreage
Premining Number of Shrubs
8,904,209
Postmining No. of Shrubs
1,297,306
Total Acreage 2300
% Eligible/Total 87.0
____________________
(1) pastureland excluded by regulation
* D = Postmining Total Shrub Density (e.g. 0.3 x
						  [1(4+1)] = 0.06)
A complete proposal for evaluation of postmining shrub density
				should include:
1. A commitment to provide a brief history of the methods
				employed to implant shrubs and the husbandry practices specifically related to
				shrub establishment and maintenance.
2. Methods to identify shrub patches and to determine their
				areal distribution and extent.
3. Proposed sampling methods for the determination of shrub
				density within the patches. This discussion should include number of
				samples.
4. Proposed methods for documenting the presence and
				distribution of shrub species on all other lands jointly used by livestock and
				wildlife.