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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY <br /> Quantitative vegetation sampling of reclaimed and revegetated sites within the West Bench, <br /> Sylvester Gulch, Shaft Canyon Road, and Saddle Road reclamation areas, eligible for second <br /> year's sampling for Phase III bond release at Mountain Coal Company, LLC's (MCC) West <br /> Elk Mine, was conducted in June 2022. Vegetation cover by plant species, total herbaceous <br /> production, and species composition data were collected. Comparisons were made between <br /> total vegetation cover means, total herbaceous production means, and species composition <br /> results from the sampled reclamation areas and the final revegetation success criteria from <br /> the Colorado Division of Reclamation, Mining and Safety (CDRMS) permit document. The <br /> 2022 total mean vegetation cover in the reclamation areas sampled (67.47%) exceeded the <br /> final revegetation cover success criterion of 53.04 percent. Total mean herbaceous <br /> production this year in the reclamation areas (227.67 g/m2) exceeded the total herbaceous <br /> production revegetation success criterion of 180.38 g/m2. Relative cover data from the <br /> reclamation areas sampled showed that the reclaimed areas exceeded the species composition <br /> final success criterion with five perennial cool season graminoids and one perennial cool <br /> season forb present in this year's sampling. <br /> Based on the results of the 2022 quantitative vegetation sampling at the eligible reclamation <br /> areas, it was concluded that the final bond release and revegetation requirements of CDRMS <br /> Rule 3.03.1(2) have been satisfied for total vegetation cover, total herbaceous production, <br /> and species composition; and that overall the sampling results demonstrate the establishment <br /> of a diverse, effective and permanent vegetation community of the same seasonal variety <br /> native to the land disturbed. <br /> Mountain Coal Company,LLC West Elk Mine Page 1 <br /> 2022 Vegetation Report:West Bench,Sylvester Gulch,Shaft Canyon Road,and Saddle Road Reclamation Areas <br />