2015-11-04_REVISION - C1980007 - Laserfiche WebLink

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3.1.2 Total Herbaceous Production Mean total herbaceous production within the reclamation areas eligible for Phase III bond release in 2014 was 226.8 g/m2 (2022 lb/ac). 3.1.3 Species Composition Cover sampling identified three lifeforms and forty-eight species within the reclaimed areas. The lifeforms included eight species of perennial grass, one annual grass, 21 perennial forbs, three biennial forbs, four annual forbs, one unidentified forb, and ten perennial woody plants. Of the species encountered on the reclaimed areas, thirty-seven were native and ten were introduced (one uncharacterized). Perennial species outnumbered annual species by thirty- nine to five, with three biennials, and one forb undetermined. All species save one were cool season. The woody plants were all deciduous. The reclaimed areas had seven species contributing greater than three percent relative cover this year. Those species included four perennial grasses and three perennial forbs. The species and their relative cover included Agropyron smithii with a contribution 17.06 percent relative cover, Poa pratensis (14.19%), Agropyron dasystachyum (13.59%), Bromus marginatus (11.211/o), Achillea lanulosa (5.460/o), Pteridium aquilinum (4.86%), and Thermopsis montanus (3.27%). Of significant note was that 17 additional native forb species were encountered in the cover sampling accounting for 12.4 percent relative cover and 35.4 percent of the total number of species encountered. 3.2 COMPARISON OF RECLAIMED AREAS WITH FINAL REVEGETATION SUCCESS CRITERIA Comparison of the reclaimed areas values for vegetation cover, total herbaceous production, and species composition with the final revegetation success criteria indicates whether revegetation has been successful and compliant with requirements for Phase III bond release. CDRMS Rule 3.03.1(2) provides for release of bond, "upon the establishment of vegetation which supports the approved post -mining land use and which meets the approved success standard for cover pursuant to 4.15.8..." The tables below allow the comparison of the parameter values from this year's sampling at the reclamation areas with the standards to be achieved, as determined from the Historic Records Study Area. Total Vegetation Cover (2014) Final Total Vegetation Cover Success Criterion: 53.04 % total vegetation cover 2014 Reclaimed Areas Xbar 69.04% S 8.93% Number of samples 23 Number of samples for sample adequacy 3 Mountain Coal Company, LLC West Elk Mine Page 8 2014 Vegetation Report: Phase III Bond Release Eligible Areas