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1.0 INTRODUCTION <br /> This report presents the results of the 2022 (second year of the required two years) <br /> quantitative vegetation sampling in support of a request for Phase III final bond release for <br /> eligible reclaimed sites within the West Bench, Sylvester Gulch, Shaft Canyon Road, and <br /> Saddle Road reclamation areas (2022 Reclamation Areas) above the West Elk Mine main <br /> facilities (CDRMS permit C-1980-007) owned and operated by MCC. Quantitative <br /> vegetative sampling is required by CDRMS whenever a permittee requests a release from <br /> liability and/or reclamation bond in Phase III of the bond release process. Vegetation <br /> sampling was performed in compliance with the Regulations of the Colorado Mined Land <br /> Reclamation Board for Coal Mining Rules 2.04.10 and 4.15 at the time of sampling and <br /> current botanical and plant ecological methods. Field sampling for the areas monitored was <br /> conducted between June 20 and 25, 2022 by Savage and Savage, Inc. biologists. <br /> The West Elk Mine site is located in Gunnison and Delta Counties, Colorado, approximately <br /> 1.8 miles east of Somerset, Colorado and is accessed by Colorado Highway 133. MCC has <br /> operated the West Elk Mine since 1981. The reclamation areas sampled this year are located <br /> solely in Gunnison County. Reclaimed sites sampled in 2022 were backfilled, graded, <br /> topsoiled, and revegetated in accordance with the approved mining and reclamation plan. <br /> The reclaimed sites sampled this year were formerly drill sites and access roads constructed <br /> for coal exploration and mine ventilation. Reclamation activities took place between 2004 <br /> and 2008 for the areas sampled this year, and included plugging of the drill holes, backfilling <br /> and regrading the drill sites and roads, replacing topsoil, reseeding and mulching, and <br /> installing erosion control materials. <br /> The revegetation standards used to evaluate these areas are those currently in effect under the <br /> Colorado Surface Coal Mining Reclamation Act (CRS 34-33-101 et seq) and the West Elk <br /> Mining and Reclamation Permit(C-1980-007). <br /> Mountain Coal Company,LLC West Elk Mine Page 2 <br /> 2022 Vegetation Report:West Bench,Sylvester Gulch,Shaft Canyon Road,and Saddle Road Reclamation Areas <br />