Current through March 20, 2024
Authority: IC
14-34-2-1
Affected: IC 14-34
Sec. 121.
(a)
Success of revegetation is evaluated according to the standards as set forth in
section 120 of this rule and (if a measurable success standard applies) using
sampling techniques set forth in this section or that:
(1) have a ninety percent (90%) statistical
confidence interval (in other words, a one (1) sided test with a ten-hundredths
(0.10) alpha error); and
(2) are
approved by the director.
(b) The following methods may be used to
evaluate ground cover:
(1) The percentage of
ground cover shall be assessed within one (1) square foot units randomly
located in the area under evaluation. Each unit shall be divided into one
hundred (100) equal parts to form a grid. The percentage of ground cover within
each unit is equal to the number of parts that contain vegetation or litter.
The minimum number of observations for the area under evaluation and methods of
analysis shall be determined under section 122 of this rule.
(2) The percentage of ground cover shall be
assessed by determining the number of points at one (1) foot intervals that
intersect ground cover along one hundred (100) foot lines randomly located in
the area under evaluation. A point shall be considered as intersecting ground
cover when the location immediately under the point contains either the aerial
parts of the vegetation or litter that is produced naturally on-site. The
percentage of vegetative ground cover assessed for each line is an individual
observation. The minimum number of observations for the area under evaluation
and the methods of analysis are determined under section 122 of this
rule.
(c) The following
methods may be used to evaluate the production of living plants on cropland
used for hay and on pastureland:
(1) With
respect to a whole field harvest, all vegetation under evaluation shall be cut,
adequately cured under acceptable agronomic practices, and baled. The total
number of bales produced per cutting from the area under evaluation shall be
determined. The weight of individual bales randomly selected from the area
under evaluation shall be determined. The weight of each bale shall be
considered an individual observation for the purposes of section 122 of this
rule. The minimum number of bales to be weighed shall be determined using the
following table:
| Size of Area under Evaluation (Acres) |
Minimum Number of Small Bales (Less than 100 pounds)
|
Minimum Number of Large Bales (At least 100 pounds)
|
| 0-39 |
10 |
4 |
| 40-279 |
15 |
6 |
| 280-639 |
20 |
10 |
For areas larger than six hundred forty (640) acres, one (1)
additional bale is required for each additional thirty-five (35) acres. The
adequacy of the sample and the mean weight of the bales shall be determined
using the methods set forth in section 122(c) and 122(e) of this rule. The
production of the area under evaluation shall be determined using the following
formula:
P = (X × NB) (A × 2,000)
Where:
P = Production of area (tons per acre).
X = Mean weight for weight of bale (pounds per bale).
N = Total number of bales produced.
A = Size of area under evaluation (acres).
(2) With respect to a test plot (an area
that, due to soils, topography, age, management, locality, and any other factor
that affects production, can be expected to produce the same yield as the area
being evaluated), the director shall determine whether a test plot is
representative of the evaluated area. Test plots collectively shall be at least
ten percent (10%) of the area represented, unless the director approves a
smaller percentage. No test plot shall be less than one (1) acre. The test plot
must be harvested independently of the surrounding area or, if harvested at the
same time, records must be maintained by the permittee that provide a
measurement of the yield of the test plot that is separate and distinct from
the surrounding area. The entire area being evaluated must be in permanent
vegetative cover equal to the approved success standard as identified in
section 120(c)(3) of this rule. The location of a test plot shall be
established after consultation with the director.
(3) With respect to yield estimates from
clippings, the vegetation growing in one (1) yard squares shall be randomly
located in the area under evaluation, clipped, adequately cured under
acceptable agronomic practices, and weighed to determine the production from
living plants. The vegetation shall be clipped to leave at least one (1) node
on the stem to provide for regeneration of foliage. If more than one (1)
cutting is necessary to prove the production of the area under evaluation, all
additional cuttings must come from the same selected squares unless the entire
field is mowed. New squares may be randomly located each year. The production
of the area under evaluation (expressed as tons per acre) shall be extrapolated
from the clippings obtained from each individual square. For the purposes of
section 122 of this rule, the extrapolated production from each square shall be
considered an individual observation. The minimum number of observations for
the area under evaluation and methods for analysis shall be determined under
section 122 of this rule.
(d) The following methods may be used to
evaluate the production of living plants on cropland for crops other than hay:
(1) With respect to a whole field harvest,
all vegetation under evaluation shall be harvested and the yield obtained. Each
yield shall be adjusted for moisture content and certified as to accuracy. Each
yield shall be documented by presenting weigh tickets from a grain elevator or
by other means acceptable to the director.
(2) With respect to a test plot, as defined
under subsection (c)(2), the director shall determine whether a test plot is
representative of the evaluated area. The yield shall be adjusted for moisture
content. Test plots collectively shall be at least ten percent (10%) of the
area to be represented, unless the director approves a smaller area, but not
less than one (1) acre. The test plot must be harvested independently of the
surrounding area, or, if harvested at the same time, records must be maintained
by the permittee which provide a measurement of the yield of the test plot that
is separate and distinct from the surrounding area. The entire area being
evaluated must be in permanent vegetation or must be used for crop production
as provided in the plan of reclamation. The portion in permanent vegetation
must have a ground cover equal to the approved success standard as identified
in section 120(c)(3) of this rule. The location of a test plot shall be
established after consultation with the director.
(3) Yield estimates for corn and soybean
grain counts shall be counted under methods used by one (1) of the following:
(A) Purdue University.
(B) University of Illinois.
(C) Another institution approved by the
director.
(e)
This method may be used to evaluate stocking or planting on an area developed
as fish and wildlife habitat recreation, forest, or shelter belt. Each
acceptable tree, shrub, and half-shrub shall be counted that is located within
a circle formed by a twenty (20) foot radius centered on a randomly selected
point. Each area counted is an individual observation for purposes of section
122 of this rule. The sufficiency of the number of observations shall be
determined, and the statistical analysis of the results shall be performed
under section 122 of this rule. A tree, shrub, or half-shrub is counted if the
species:
(1) is designated in the approved
reclamation plan;
(2) is alive and
healthy; and
(3) has been in place
for at least two (2) growing seasons, with at least eighty percent (80%) of the
species counted having been in place for at least three (3) growing
seasons.
