2015-10-13_REVISION - C1981014 (18)

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Reference Collected Weighting Area Vegetation Data Factor Value Plot A A 0.5593 x Plot B B 0.0649 y New (Pinion -Juniper) C 0.3758 z Sum of the three RA's weighted vegetation values = (x+y+z) The sum of the three vegetation values (x+y+z) will then be added into a sum which will be the ultimate plant cover and forage production revegetation standards for the Southfield Mine. Or, to express in a different way, the sum of the weighted reference area values (the standard) would then be used for the success comparison for the weighted reclamation blocks. In connection with TR -45 which was approved by the CDRMS on 18 August 2015, revisions were made to the currently approved Southfield Permit revegetation success criteria relative to woody plant density and warm season grass species diversity. As approved in TR -45, the woody plant density revegetation success standards are found on revised Permit page 2.05.4-27a were revised to be: The twelve shrub transplant areas planted by the Colorado State Forest Service (1,843 shrubs and trees transplanted in May of 2004) comprises an area totaling 6.23 acres. These areas will be evaluated by subdividing each of these areas with belt transects and by using a Trimble Model GeoXH global positioning survey unit (or equivalent), which has a typical post -processing data accuracy of plus or minus one meter, during each of the final two years of Phase III Bond Release reclamation monitoring. Using this unit EFCI will sample every single woody plant contained within the boundaries of these shrub transplant areas. The based upon either the contribution of the transplanted shrubs or trees, a total of at least 1,843 woody plants will be present during each sampling period at the time of final bond release sampling. On all areas corresponding to the Refuse Pile Reclamation, which correspond to the Grassland Pre -Disturbance plant community, an average of at least 250 woody plant stems per acre will be present on these reclaimed areas during each of the final two years of Phase III Bond Release reclamation monitoring. On all reclaimed areas corresponding to the Vento Portal Reclamation area, which correspond largely to the Pinyon-Juniper/Ponderosa Pine Pre -Disturbance plant community, an average of at least 800 woody plant stems per acre will be present on these reclaimed areas during each of the final two years of Phase III Final Bond Release reclamation monitoring. On the Corley property there will be no woody plant density revegetation success standard. Because woody plant occurrence in the loadout area is very limited, woody plant sampling data for the loadout reclamation area will be compared with the revised woody plant counts for the corresponding reference area as documented in the baseline vegetation data. 23