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INTRODUCTION <br />Quantitative sampling of reclaimed and reference areas at Seneca Coal Company (SCC) Yoast Mine was <br />initiated in 2015 by Cedar Creek Associates, Inc. to provide data for formal testing of Revegetation <br />Success in application for Phase III Bond Release. The present report constitutes data for year one of <br />two required for Phase III Bond Release testing. <br />METHODS <br />Phase ill Bond Release Block 2 Sampling <br />The 363.3 acres of the 2015 Bond Release Block 2 (BRB-2) was assembled from reclamation parcels <br />seeded from 2002 to 2007. Lands included in the BRB-2 are subject to the Colorado Permanent <br />Regulatory Program (Post -Law). Sample areas and locations are shown on Map 1, "2015 Vegetation <br />Monitoring Locations - Phase III BRB-2," and Map 2, "2015 Fenced Woody Plant Density Concentration <br />Area Monitoring Locations — Phase III BRB-2." <br />Reference Area Sampling <br />The Aspen, Mountain Brush, Sagebrush and Steep Mountain Brush Extended Reference Areas (ERA) <br />were sampled to provide cover and production data for comparison with reclaimed area data. Reference <br />Area sampling locations are shown on Map 3, "2015 Vegetation Monitoring Locations — Extended <br />Reference Areas." <br />Summary of Sampling Design <br />Evaluation Parameter <br />Phase III BRB-2 <br />Reference Areas <br />Min. 30 samples <br />Min. 15 samples (to <br />Quantitative Cover Sampling <br />(and to adequacy as necessary) <br />adequacy as necessary") <br />Min. 30 samples <br />Min. 30 samples <br />Quantitative Production Sampling <br />Woody Plant Density Sampling — <br />Min. 30 samples <br />NA <br />Background and Volunteer <br />Woody Plant Density Sampling — <br />Min. 30 samples <br />NA <br />Fenced Concentration Areas <br />Min. 30 samples <br />Min. 15 samples <br />Species Density Sampling <br />Hypoth. testing for cover, production and <br />Success Demonstration Approach <br />woody plant density <br />NA <br />3 of 4 specified tests for species diversity <br />* Up to a maximum of 50 samples or use of upper 90% confidence limit after 15 samples <br />