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1.3 Background, Success Standards, and Evaluation <br />Information regarding dates of reclamation earthwork activities and seeding dates should be <br />provided in other supporting documents. <br />The bond release success standards for reclaimed areas at the Bowie #1 Mine are based on <br />vegetation cover, annual herbaceous production, and woody plant density values of reclaimed areas <br />compared with the success criteria. For Phase II Bond Release, reclaimed areas must achieve at least <br />90% of the Total Plant Cover Standard. Diversity, production and woody plant density success <br />comparisons are applicable only to Phase III Bond Release and thus are not discussed in this Phase II <br />Bond Release evaluation. Noxious weed cover may not count towards vegetation success standards. A <br />determination regarding noxious weed status is based on the Delta County noxious weed list. <br />Success criteria for Phase II Bond Release are as follows: <br />• For the West Mine Unit, Phase II Bond Release requirements state that Total Plant Cover must <br />be ? 90% of the Total Plant Cover Standard of 60% (54 %). The Total Plant Cover may not <br />include noxious weeds, and annual and biennial species cover is limited (see discussion below). <br />• For the Run of Mine Unit, Phase II Bond Release requirements state that Total Plant Cover must <br />be >_ 90% of the Total Plant Cover Standard of 40% (36 %). The Total Plant Cover may not <br />include noxious weeds, and annual and biennial species cover is limited (see discussion below). <br />Success criteria for Phase III Bond Release in the West Mine unit are as follows: <br />• Achieve a Total Plant Cover of >_ 90% of the Total Plant Cover Standard of 60% (54 %). <br />• Achieve a woody plant density of >_ 90% of 1,000 stems per acre (900). <br />• Achieve annual herbaceous production levels of >_ 90% of 450 pounds per acre (405). <br />• Achieve a species diversity of >_ 5 native, perennial herbaceous species with between 3% and <br />60% relative cover. <br />• Achieve a species diversity of >_ 4 native, cool- season grass species with between 3% and 60% <br />relative cover. <br />• Achieve a species diversity of >_ 1 native forb species with between 3% and 60% relative cover. <br />• Achieve a species diversity of >_ 2 native shrub species, not exceeding a relative cover value of <br />>_ 80 %. <br />Success criteria for Phase III Bond Release in the Run of Mine (and East Mine) units are as follows: <br />CEDAR CREEK ASSOCIATES, INC. Page 6 Bowie #1 Mine - 2013 <br />Phase II Bond Release Report <br />