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2.0 METHODS <br />2.1 SAMPLING DESIGN <br />Prior to initiation of fieldwork, the permit document, revisions under Technical Revision 77, <br />applicable mining and reclamation permit maps, and Google Earth® aerial imagery were <br />reviewed to evaluate topography, reclamation timing, seed mixes, revegetation methods, <br />management, and applicable revegetation standards. <br />Map 2.05-M1 (General Facilities and Gob Vent Boreholes) of the mine site was used to <br />identify, locate and delineate reclaimed areas and individual reclaimed sites. As the reclaimed <br />sites are irregularly dispersed over the mine site, and the sites are variable in size, standard <br />methods of gridding the reclaimed areas and generating random sample points were not <br />practical. <br />The pre-SMCRA reclaimed areas eligible for Phase III bond release evaluation this year <br />included; the Elk Creek East Yard Waste Disposal Facility, the Elk Creek Temporary <br />Conveyor Area, the Bear Creek B Seam Portal Area, the Bear Creek U.S. Steel Fan Area, the <br />Upper Hubbard Creek Area (also designated Somerset Mine Hubbard Fan Shaft 91 site), the <br />Hubbard Creek Fan 91 Site, and the Lower Hubbard Creek area. <br />The reclaimed sites, their areal extent, and age were entered into a Microsoft Excel® <br />spreadsheet. The area of each reclaimed site was calculated as a percentage of the total area <br />of eligible pre-SMCRA reclaimed areas, as was the total area of eligible reclaimed locations <br />within the reclamation area. By selecting an initial number of total samples, locations for <br />sampling by representative area and reclamation year were assigned. <br />Sample locations within each sample site were randomly determined by use of a 50'x50' grid <br />representing the reclaimed site. For example, where a reclaimed site was one acre in size, a <br />50'x50' grid yielded sixteen potential sample points. A sample point within the reclaimed site <br />was then selected using a random numbers table. Sample point locations were located in the <br />field through compass triangulation, GPS, and pacing from known landmarks. Within the <br />Appendix an appended table summarizes the pre-SMCRA reclaimed areas, and the general <br />location of the pre-SMCRA reclaimed areas is illustrated. <br />Oxbow Mining, LLC Elk Creek Mine Page 3 <br />2019 Phase III Bond Kelease Pre-5MCKA Vegetation Report <br />