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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY <br />Quantitative vegetation sampling of reclamation areas eligible for Phase III bond release at <br />Mountain Coal Company, LLC's (MCC) West Elk Mine was conducted in June 2015. <br />Vegetation cover by plant species, total herbaceous production, and species composition data <br />were collected. Comparisons were made between total vegetation cover means, total <br />herbaceous production means, and species composition results from the sampled reclamation <br />areas and the final revegetation success criteria from the Colorado Division of Reclamation, <br />Mining and Safety (CDRMS) permit document. The mean for total vegetation cover in the <br />reclaimed areas (69.10%) this year exceeded the final revegetation success criterion of 53.04 <br />percent. Total herbaceous production (239.3 g/m2) in the reclaimed areas sampled exceeded <br />the revegetation success criterion of 180.38 g/m2. Relative cover data from the reclamation <br />areas sampled showed that the reclaimed areas exceeded the species composition final <br />success criterion with four perennial cool season graminoids and two perennial cool season <br />forbs with relative cover between three and forty percent. <br />Based on the results of the 2015 quantitative vegetation sampling at the reclaimed areas, it <br />was concluded that the requirements of CDRMS Rule 3.03.1(2) have been satisfied for total <br />vegetation cover, total herbaceous production, and species composition; and that overall the <br />sampling results demonstrate the establishment of a diverse, effective and permanent <br />vegetation community of the same seasonal variety native to the land disturbed. <br />Mountain Coal Company, LLC West Elk Mine Page <br />2015 Vegetation Report. Deep Creek, Long Draw, Long Draw Saddle, West Point Road Reclamation Areas <br />