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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY <br />Quantitative vegetation sampling of the extended reference area and reclaimed areas within <br />the Oxbow Mining LLC (Oxbow) Elk Creek Mine eligible for Phase II bond release was <br />conducted during June 2020. Vegetation cover by plant species and species composition data <br />were collected. Comparisons were made between total vegetation cover means (reclaimed <br />areas) and total herbaceous cover means (extended reference area). Species composition <br />results from the reclaimed areas were compared with the species composition revegetation <br />success criterion from the Colorado Division of Reclamation, Mining and Safety (CDRMS) <br />permit document. <br />The 2020 mean total vegetation cover in the reclaimed areas (55.07%) exceeded live <br />herbaceous vegetation cover within the extended reference area (11.06%, the sum of graminoid <br />and forb cover). Relative cover data from the reclaimed areas sampled showed that the <br />reclaimed areas exceeded the species composition final revegetation success criterion (a <br />minimum of three perennial or biennial non -noxious species, with two being graminoid and <br />one being a perennial or biennial forb or shrub) with four perennial cool season grammoids <br />and three perennial cool season forbs. <br />Based on the results of the 2020 quantitative vegetation sampling at the Oxbow reclaimed <br />areas, it was concluded that the Phase II bond release and revegetation requirements of <br />CDRMS Rule 3.03.1(2) have been satisfied for total vegetation cover and species composition; <br />and that overall the sampling results demonstrate the establishment of vegetation which <br />supports the approved post -mining land use and which meets the approved success standard <br />for cover. <br />Oxbow Mining, LLC Elk Creek Mine Page 1 <br />2020 Phase 11 Bond Release Vegetation Report <br />