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August 6, 2015 C-1981-019/Colowyo Coal Mine JHB <br />(Serviceberry), Pursia (Bitterbrush), Prunus (Chokecherry) and several Symphoricarpos (snowberry) as <br />volunteers. Grass and forb establishment in the 4 inch soil treatment is very thin, though shrub survival is good. <br />Shrub survival was the focus of the sampling effort within the Tall shrub study area. The Tall Shrub study was <br />implemented in 2011, so this sampling in year 2015 represents the 4th growing season since the seedlings were <br />transplanted in November 2011. <br />Vegetation sampling efforts moved into the X -pod area outside of the Elk fence. Sampling was conducted for <br />cover as part of Colowyo's Interim sampling efforts. <br />Systematic transect start point were pre -determined and located in the field using a GPS. Cedar Creek <br />representatives use 10 -point laser bars set on a tripod to collect intercept point every 10 cm. Transect length is 10 <br />Meters long. 100 points are collected along each transect parallel with the direction of the transect. Transect <br />direction is determined by the direction to the next closest transect start point. Samplers also collect woody plant <br />density values along a belt transect concurrent with the vegetative cover data collection. Sampling was being <br />conducted in accordance with the permit. <br />Sampling efforts moved over to the South Taylor fill. This area, ST004-2014, was seeded in 2014. Sampling was <br />being conducted for emergence as described in the permit. Samplers randomly place 1 foot x 1 foot quadrats and <br />count the presence of seedlings. Samplers record life form. Emergence of the seeded species on this parcel is very <br />good. There were two areas within the parcel, the eastern access area and a patch on the west side that did not <br />have as successful emergence. CCC will decide if they need to add seed to the thin patches. Sampling was being <br />conducted in accordance with the permit description. <br />Sampling efforts moved over to the East pit to parcel EP058. This parcel was seeded in 2014. Vegetation <br />emergence within this parcel is excellent. Some rills were noted on the southern slope of this parcel. Rills did not <br />appear to extend far. Emergence of the seeded vegetation should stabilize these rills. CCC should continue to <br />monitor the rills. <br />The Sagebrush Reference area north of the Work Area pond was observed. This reference area is composed of <br />mature sagebrush interspersed with native grasses, serviceberry, Rabbit brush and broom snakeweed (Guiterrizia <br />sarothrae). Although the sagebrush is very mature, there is considerable vegetation diversity within this area. The <br />vegetation appears healthy and there was a lack of erosional features within this area. There was no evidence of <br />any recent disturbance to this reference area. <br />REVEGETATION — Rule 4.15 <br />Vegetative Cover; Timing: <br />The inspector and Kurt Blunt observed West Pit parcel WP018. WP018 was seeded in 2012. This <br />summer represents the third growing season since seeding. Vegetation has established well in the WP018 parcel. <br />Diversity looks good and plants are robust. Some thistle patches had become established. Very little evidence of <br />shrub establishment was noted in this parcel. Weed sprayers had been in this area and mortality of the thistles was <br />Number of Partial Inspection this Fiscal Year: 2 <br />Number of Complete Inspections this Fiscal Year: 0 <br />Page 3 of 7 <br />