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For statistical purposes, each cover transect (comprising 50 data points) served as a sample <br /> unit. Data points recorded the first vertical"hit" on vegetation(above or below the instrument), <br /> soil(bare ground),rock,or organic litter. Subsequent"hits" on vegetation(prior to interception <br /> of the ground)were also recorded. Cover data were recorded and reported by individual plant <br /> species. The first interception was used to calculate total vegetation cover values. Additional <br /> interceptions were used to calculate relative cover of individual plant species and lifeforms for <br /> the reclaimed areas. The quantitative cover data provided the basis for calculation of species <br /> composition and relative importance. <br /> 2.2.3 Total Herbaceous Production <br /> Total herbaceous production was estimated by the harvest method. One herbaceous production <br /> plot was located and randomly oriented at the origin of each cover transect. Herbaceous <br /> production plots were 0.50 square meters (m) in area. All current year above ground live <br /> herbaceous plant biomass was clipped within the 0.50 in quadrat. Production material was air <br /> dried until weights varied by no more than 0.1g. <br /> 2.2.4 Species Composition <br /> Species composition information was derived from quantitative vegetation cover data from the <br /> reclaimed areas. Relative cover information provided a basis for evaluation of the importance <br /> of each encountered plant species and lifeform and for comparison to the applicable final <br /> revegetation success criterion. <br /> 2.3 SAMPLE NUMBERS/SAMPLE ADEQUACY <br /> For the purposes of this study,total vegetation cover and total herbaceous production sampling <br /> of the reclaimed areas and extended reference area was undertaken to sample adequacy with a <br /> minimum of fifteen (15) samples. <br /> Parameter sample adequacy testing occurred at the one-sided 90% confidence level. <br /> Comparisons between sample mean parameter values and the revegetation success standard <br /> assume that the sample mean value accurately represents the population mean in all cases. <br /> The following formula was used for sample adequacy calculations: <br /> nmin <br /> (t)2 (s)2 <br /> = <br /> (d Xbar)2 <br /> where: nmin=minimum sample size <br /> s= sample standard deviation <br /> t=the Student's t distribution value at the 90% level (one-sided) <br /> d=percent acceptable deviation from the mean(10%) <br /> Xbar=sample mean <br /> Oxbow Mining,LLC Elk Creek Mine Page 4 <br /> 2021 Phase III Bond Release(Year 2):Vegetation Report <br />