2015-11-04_REVISION - C1980007 - Laserfiche WebLink

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3.0 RESULTS 3.1 QUANTITATIVE EVALUATION: RECLAIMED AREAS The reclaimed areas sampled encompass 22.1 acres in 22 identified distinct parcels within four locales in the West Elk Mine permit area. The reclaimed areas range from 0.2 to 8.5 acres in size and ranged in age from 11-13 years. The location, size, and age of the reclamation sites are presented above in the West Elk Mine 2015 Phase III Bond Release Eligible Areas table. Specific vegetation information for the reclaimed areas is contained in Tables 1, 2, and 3. 3.1.1 Total Vegetation Cover Total mean vegetation cover of the reclaimed areas was 69.10 percent. Graminoids provided 46.20 percent mean cover (66.01% relative cover), forbs accounted for 17.30 percent mean cover (24.08% relative cover), and twelve woody species contributed 5.60 percent mean total cover and 9.90 percent relative cover. The most frequently encountered species was Poa pratensis (Kentucky bluegrass), present in 100 percent of the 20 transects sampled for vegetation cover. Bromus marginatus (mountain brome) and Agropyron smithii (western wheatgrass) were present in 85 percent of transects, while Agropyron dasystachyum (thickspike wheatgrass) was encountered in 70 percent of all transects. The native forb Achillea lanulosa (yarrow) was reported in 55 percent of cover transects. All other species were encountered in fewer than fifty percent of the vegetation cover transects. Overall within the reclaimed areas, there was one dominant perennial cool season naturalized grass species; Poa pratensis with a contribution of 17.10 percent total vegetation cover and 24.94 percent relative cover. Three cool season native graminoids were subdominant in the reclaimed areas; Bromus marginatus, contributing 10.40 percent total cover (14.43% relative cover), Agropyron smithii providing 9.00 percent total and 12.47 percent relative cover, and Agropyron dasystachyum with 8.00 percent total cover (11.00% relative cover). Two additional species encountered during vegetation cover sampling contributed significant vegetation cover (defined as three or more percent relative cover) including; Achillea lanulosa with 4.80 percent total vegetation cover and 6.72 percent relative cover, and Thermopsis montanus (golden banner) contributed 1.90 percent total vegetation cover, with 3.06 percent relative cover. Vegetative litter (prior years growth, dead wood, and other biologic organic material) comprised 14.90 percent ground cover overall within the reclaimed areas. Bare soil comprised 15.30 percent of the ground cover. Rock accounted for 0.70 percent of the ground cover sampled. Cryptogams were not encountered during this year's sampling. 3.1.2 Total Herbaceous Production Mean total herbaceous production within the reclamation areas eligible for Phase III bond release in 2015 was 239.3 g/m2 (2133 lb/ac). Mountain Coal Company, LLC West Elk Mine Page 7 2015 Vegetation Report: Deep Creek, Long Draw, Long Draw Saddle, West Point Road Reclamation Areas