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J. Ebert <br /> Page 2 of 2 <br /> 14 November 2019 <br /> o Shrub clump a 1.6 acre area generally located within 1,400 feet of any adjacent shrub clump and, <br /> comprised of a minimum of 250 shrub pads. <br /> The existing standard stipulates: <br /> 1. Shrub clumps will be considered established when at least 50%of all transplanted shrub pads within <br /> the clumps contain at least 10 live woody stems. <br /> 2. 400 live stems per acre for Range Sites A and B <br /> 3. The shrub density standard may also be met through other methods incorporating mature shrub <br /> clumps. <br /> 4. 10 live woody stems comprise a successfully established shrub pad. <br /> 5. An actual average shrub stem density count of greater or equal to 400 stems per acre and a 50%shrub <br /> pad survival rate constitute successful establishment. <br /> The proposed standard requests: <br /> 1. An option to employ or not employ shrub plots. <br /> 2. A meeting of the shrub density standard without the inclusion of shrub plots by achieving 550 live <br /> stems per acre. <br /> 3. If shrub plots are utilized,the standard of actual average stem density count greater than or equal to <br /> 400 stem/acre constitutes success. <br /> Trapper SL20 visual inspection indicated robust vegetation establishment and species diversity. Trapper's <br /> SL20 vegetation analysis showed the following with respect to achieving shrub establishment success: <br /> o Revegetation success is demonstrated at 90% statistical confidence level for two consecutive years <br /> (2017 and 2018). <br /> o The stems per acre sample average was 1,069 and 1,082 for 2017 and 2018 respectively. These values <br /> are well above the permit standard of greater than 400 stems per acre for both years. However they <br /> may or may not meet the 50% shrub pad survival rate as that analysis was not undertaken. There <br /> were shrub clumps with their associated shrub pads in the sample area. <br /> Conclusion <br /> The aim of the Trapper shrub standard is to provide resting and hiding place for game as well as forage and <br /> thermal cover during spring, winner and fall. The number of shrub stems, well above either the 400 or the <br /> 550 stems/acre is achieved with nearly doubled stems/acre counted. The intended outcome of reclamation <br /> has been adequately met. <br /> References: <br /> 1 Regulations of the Colorado Mined Land Reclamation Board for Coal Mining Colorado Mined Land <br /> Reclamation Board,August 1980 <br /> 2 Guideline Re ag rding Selected Coal Mine Bon Release Issues: Colorado Division of Minerals and Geology, <br /> August 1998 <br /> 3 Trapper Mine Permit <br /> 4 Trapper Mine Phase III SL20 Application <br />