2018-01-03_PERMIT FILE - C1981010A (12)

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2.3.6 PR -7 Mine Expansion Area Vesetation Baseline vegetation sampling was conducted during the summer of 2014 on the approximately 795.71 acre PR -7 Mine Expansion Area. This area is located adjacent to the eastern boundary of the 1981 Trapper Mine permit area and west of Moffat County Road # 33, also known as the Knez Divide Road. The vegetation sampling effort was conducted in accordance with the baseline vegetation sampling requirements of Rule 2.04.10 of the Regulations of the Colorado Mined Land Reclamation Board for Coal Mining (effective 8/30/1980, last revised 9/14/2005). 2.3.6.1 Methods for Data Collection and Analyses Vegetation Mapping. For the PR -7 Mine Expansion Area vegetation sampling effort in 2014 a detailed map was prepared in accordance with Rule 2.04.10(1), which requires that plant communities be delineated based on visually dominant plant species. The vegetation mapping was initially prepared using high resolution aerial photographs taken in the fall of 2013, with minor adjustments to the photographic mapping made based upon extensive experience in the PR -7 Mine Expansion Area. The boundaries of smaller vegetation blocks within the PR -7 Mine Expansion Area were delineated with a Trimble Model Geo XH GPS unit as the investigators walked these boundaries. The detailed delineation of the vegetation types found within the PR -7 Mine Expansion Area is shown on Map 48A. This map shows the extent of vegetation types that could be affected and the location of each vegetation transect used to evaluate plant cover, herbaceous production, and shrub density within the proposed mine expansion area. The vegetation boundaries of all lands located within one- half mile of the PR -7 Mine Expansion Area also are shown on this map. Vegetation Sampling. The specific sampling methodologies used in this evaluation followed the procedures found in CDRMS' "Guidelines with Land Use and Vegetation Requirements of the Colorado Mined Land Reclamation Board for Coal Mining" issued in June of 1988 (Vegetation Guideline); the "Guideline for the Management of Noxious Weeds on Coal Mine Permit Areas" issued in 1990; and the "Guidelines Regarding Selected Coal Mine Bond Release Issues" issued April 18, 1995. Finally, the "Proposed Revisions to the Rules and Regulations of the Colorado Mined Land Reclamation Board for Coal Mining" dated May 13, 2014; Rule 4.15.11; and corresponding documents were used to provide guidance on sample adequacy calculations and statistical comparisons. Prior to starting the field sampling, the proposed sampling and data analysis methods were discussed with, and approved by, the CDRMS. The CDRMS indicated that it was not necessary to submit copies of the raw field data sheets, but that this information should be kept in the TMI files in the event that the CDRMS determined that they needed to review this information. TMI is proposing to continue to use the currently approved revegetation technical standards in the PR - 7 Mine Expansion Area. Therefore, the field data collected in 2014 followed methodologies similar to those used to collect the historic baseline vegetation data. This allowed for comparison between the historic data and current data. Because the original permit standards were used, there are some minor differences in the sampling and analysis methodologies used here from those currently recommended by the CDRMS. For each of the major plant communities, all of the field data were analyzed in terms of "total plant cover" to determine whether sample adequacy was achieved prior to leaving the site being sampled. For production sampling, a minimum of 30 samples were collected and the green plant weight data 2-122a ;- �!ision: /OR -08