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Coors Energy Company: Keenesburg Mine Permit No. C-81-028 <br />2017 Fourth Quarter Pest & Disease Inspection <br />On November 21, 2017 Wayne Erickson (Habitat Management, Inc). inspected <br />operational, bonded reclaimed and shop areas at the Keenesburg Mine for plant pests, <br />plant diseases and noxious weeds that could or have affected establishment of <br />vegetation on reclaimed lands. The inspection was conducted by vehicular and <br />pedestrian means. The following areas were inspected: <br />• The office/shop/facility area; <br />• Topsoil stockpiles A-1 and B-1; <br />• B pit; <br />• The long-term spoil area; <br />• Bonded Reclamation; <br />• The permanent sediment pond; <br />• Mine roads; <br />• Undisturbed land within the permit boundary; <br />• and <br />• The Dugout. <br />These areas are depicted on Map 1. <br />Plant disease was not identified within the areas inspected. The vegetation has not <br />been adversely affected by plant pests. Areas affected by infestation or blight were not <br />identified during this inspection. No areas were observed where noxious weeds, plant <br />pests or plant disease had adversely impacted the normal growth and establishment of <br />vegetation on reclaimed lands, with the exception of cheatgrass infestations. <br />Ongoing vegetation monitoring has identified cheatgrass as a potential barrier to <br />successful revegetation of disturbed areas. Typically, cheatgrass Infestations are more <br />widespread and dense on recently reclaimed lands. Cheatgrass infestations are being <br />treated by mine personnel with good success. Infestations on older reclamation areas <br />are scattered and less dense due to treatment efforts. <br />During the season vegetation growth had been progressing normally and appeared to <br />have been more robust than normal due to favorable precipitation. However, a severe <br />hail storm during August caused significant damage to vegetation on reclaimed areas <br />that precluded vegetation monitoring this year. <br />During the season vegetation growth had been progressing normally and appeared to <br />have been more robust than normal due to favorable precipitation. However, a severe <br />hail storm during August caused significant damage to vegetation on reclaimed areas <br />that precluded vegetation monitoring this year. During the latter part of the growing <br />season warm season grass species rebounded from this weather event with the <br />reclaimed areas exhibiting reasonably good grass cover in most areas. <br />Habitat Management, Inc. 2 November 21, 2017 <br />