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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY <br /> Quantitative vegetation sampling of the extended reference area and reclaimed and revegetated <br /> sites within the Oxbow Mining LLC (Oxbow) Elk Creek Mine eligible for Phase III bond <br /> release (Year 1) was conducted between June 15 and 28, 2020. Vegetation cover by plant <br /> species, total herbaceous production, and species composition data were collected. <br /> Comparisons were made between total vegetation cover and total herbaceous production from <br /> the reclaimed areas with the applicable values from the extended reference area. Species <br /> composition results from the reclaimed areas were compared with the species composition <br /> revegetation success criterion from the Colorado Division of Reclamation, Mining and Safety <br /> (CDRMS)permit document(C-1981-022). <br /> The 2020 mean total vegetation cover in the reclaimed areas (55.87%) exceeded live <br /> herbaceous vegetation cover standard within the extended reference area (11.06%, the sum of <br /> graminoid and forb mean cover). The reclaimed areas total herbaceous production of 198.81 <br /> g/m2 exceeded the final revegetation total herbaceous production success criterion(59.33 g/m2) <br /> from the extended reference area. Relative cover data from the reclaimed areas sampled <br /> showed that the reclaimed areas exceeded the species composition final 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 six perennial cool season graminoids, <br /> three perennial cool season forbs, and two perennial shrubs. <br /> Based on the results of the 2020 quantitative vegetation sampling at the reclaimed areas, it <br /> was concluded that the Phase III bond release and revegetation requirements of CDRMS Rules <br /> 3.03, 4.15.7, and 4.15.8 have been satisfied for total vegetation cover, total herbaceous <br /> production,and species composition for the first year of the required two-year sampling period. <br /> Additionally, the sampling results demonstrate the establishment of a diverse, effective and <br /> permanent vegetation community of the same seasonal variety native to the land disturbed. <br /> Oxbow Mining,LLC Elk Creek Mine Page 1 <br /> 2020 Phase III Bond Release(Year 1):Vegetation Report <br />