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comparisons are applicable only to Phase III Bond Release and thus are not discussed in this Phase II Bond <br />Release evaluation. Noxious weed cover may not count towards vegetation success standards. A <br />determination regarding noxious weed status is based on the Delta County noxious weed list. <br />Success criteria for Phase II Bond Release are as follows: <br />• For the East Mine Unit, Phase II Bond Release requirements state that Total Plant Cover must <br />exceed 40%. The Total Plant Cover may not include noxious weeds, and annual and biennial <br />species cover is limited (see discussion below). <br />Success criteria for Phase III Bond Release in the East Mine unit are as follows: <br />• Achieve a Total Plant Cover greater than 40%. <br />• Achieve a woody plant density of between 800 and 1,000 stems per acre. <br />• Achieve annual herbaceous production levels of >_ 90% of 400 pounds per acre (360). <br />• Achieve a species diversity of >_ 5 native, perennial herbaceous species (4 native cool season <br />grasses and one native forb) with between 3% and 60% relative cover. The five species combined <br />will not exceed 90% relative cover or production. <br />• Achieve a species diversity of >_ 2 native shrub species, not exceeding a relative cover value of >_ <br />80%. <br />Success evaluations involve a direct comparison and, where necessary, statistical testing of the ground <br />cover parameter. A total of perennial, biennial and annual (non -noxious) vegetation cover is stated as the <br />approved success standard, however there is a limitation to the amount of annual and biennial cover that <br />can be included in this total. According to guidance provided by CDRMS, annuals and biennials can only <br />contribute 10% relative cover to the comparison. Implementation of this method initially requires noxious <br />weeds to be removed from total cover. Next, annual and biennial absolute cover must be converted into <br />relative cover. Any annual and biennial cover exceeding 10% relative cover must be removed from the <br />total cover data set. The result of this calculation is absolute perennial cover with 10% allowable relative <br />cover of annual and biennial vegetation. The resulting data can then be used in a direct comparison against <br />a standard. <br />In 2016, Cedar Creek was able to make direct comparisons between the Phase II sampling effort and <br />standard (because of statistically adequate sampling), thus a standard statistical t-test was not required. <br />CEDAR CREEK ASSOCIATES, Inc. 4 Bowie #1 Mine - East Mine - 2016 <br />Phase II Revegetation Evaluation <br />