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weeds, cheatgrass (Anisantha tectorum), whitetop (Cardaria draba), Canada thistle (Cirsium arvense), bull <br />thistle (Cirsium vulgare), and field bindweed (Convovu/us arvensis). In addition, the ubiquitous, invasive <br />species Japanese brome (Bromus japonicus) was also present in small quantities. Dominant taxa were <br />thickspike wheatgrass (Elymuslanceolatus var. I), cicer milkvetch (Astragaluscicer), and alfalfa (Medicago <br />sativa) with an average cover of 21.0%, 10.9%, and 10.7% respectively. With regard to diversity, the East <br />Mine unit exhibited a total of four perennial herbaceous species with between 3% and 60% relative cover, <br />two of which were native cool -season perennial grasses. A total of six native shrubs were observed, <br />although none were intercepted. <br />4.0 CONCLUSIONS <br />Chart 1 exhibits the results from the direct comparison made between the East Mine Phase II <br />Monitoring area and the Success Criterion. Total Plant Cover (excluding noxious weeds) for the East Mine <br />was 55.3%. <br />For the East Mine Unit, the Total Plant Cover Standard is greater than 40%. Therefore, the East <br />Mine Unit (55.3% plant cover) is greater than the success criterion (40%), resulting in the <br />condusion that the area sampled for Phase II Monitoring could readily pass the ground cover <br />requirement for Phase II Bond Release. <br />This review of collected data demonstrates the success and utility of the Revegetated Areas, especially <br />given the levels of vegetative ground cover and favorable results with regard to diversity and vegetation <br />cover. Overall, the area appears to be able to surpass Phase II bond release requirements and is capable <br />of supporting post -mining land uses. The existence of a few noxious weeds should (and has) triggered <br />managerial action to establish control of these undesirable populations. <br />5.0 LITERATURE CITED <br />Colorado Division of Mined Land Reclamation. 1990. Guideline for Management of Noxious Weeds on Coal <br />Mine Permit Area <br />Colorado Division of Minerals and Geology. 1995. Guideline Regarding Selected Coal Mine Bond Release <br />Issues. <br />Weber, W.A. and Wittman, R.C., 1996. Colorado Flora: Western Slope - Revised Edition. University <br />Press of Colorado. 496 p. <br />CEDAR CREEK ASSOCIATES, Inc. 10 Bowie #1 Mine - East Mine - 2016 <br />Phase II Revegetation Evaluation <br />