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2.0 METHODOLOGY FOR VEGETATION SAMPLING <br />2.1 Sample Site Selection / Location <br />The sample layout protocol for revegetation evaluations in 2013 largely followed Colorado Division <br />of Reclamation, Mining, and Safety (CDRMS) approved procedures developed by Cedar Creek to provide <br />unbiased, representative, and cost - effective data for evaluation of revegetation. These procedures are <br />designed to better account for the heterogeneous expression of vegetation within the various reclaimed <br />areas while precluding bias in the sample site selection process. By design, the procedure is initiated <br />randomly, and thereafter, samples are located in a systematic manner, along grid coordinates spaced at <br />fixed distances (e.g. 125 ft., as demonstrated in Figure 1 and /or Maps 2 and 3). In this manner, <br />representation from across the entire reclaimed area is forced rather than risking the chance that <br />significant pockets (or seedings) are entirely missed, or overemphasized as often happens with simple <br />random sampling. <br />The systematic procedure for sample location in the revegetated areas occurred in the following <br />stepwise manner. First, a fixed point of reference was selected for the unit to facilitate location of the <br />systematic grid in the field. Second, a systematic grid of appropriate dimensions was selected to provide <br />a reasonable number of coordinate intersections (e.g., 30) that could then be used for the set of sample <br />sites. Third, a scaled representation of the grid was overlain on a computer - generated map of the target <br />area extending along north /south and east /west lines. Fourth, the initial placement of this grid was <br />implemented by selection of two random numbers (an X and Y distance) used for locating the first <br />coordinate from the fixed point of reference, thereby making the effort unbiased. Fifth, utilizing a mobile <br />Garmin GPS unit, the sample points were located in the field. <br />Once a selected grid point was located in the field, ground cover sampling transects were always <br />oriented in the direction of the next site to be physically sampled to further limit any potential bias while <br />facilitating sampling efficiency. This orientation protocol is indicated on Figure 1. Depending on logistics, <br />timing, and access points to the target sampling area, the field crew would occasionally layout a set of <br />points along coordinates in one direction and then sample them in reverse order. However, orientation <br />protocol was always maintained (i.e. in the direction of the next point to be physically sampled). If the <br />boundary of the area was encountered before reaching the full length of a transect, the orientation of the <br />transect was turned 900 in the appropriate direction so the transect could be completed. In this manner, <br />boundary transects were retained entirely within the target unit by "bouncing" off the boundaries. <br />CEDAR CREEK ASSOCIATES, INC. Page 8 Bowie #1 Mine - 2013 <br />Phase II Bond Release Report <br />