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4.0 PHASE II SUCCESS EVALUATION <br /> 4.1 Ground Cover <br /> In 2022, Cedar Creek was able to make a direct comparison between the Phase II bond release block <br /> and the weighted reference area data, because sample size adequacy was met in the sampling block(n=90, <br /> Nmin=10.5; Table 1). Following rules by Colorado Division of Reclamation Mining and Safety (CDRMS) as <br /> described in Colorado Mined Land Reclamation Board for Coal Mining(revised September 14, 2005; Rule <br /> 4.15.11(2)(a)). If the reclaimed area sample mean meets the success standard, sample adequacy is <br /> demonstrated, and a minimum of 15 samples were collected, success may be demonstrated by a direct <br /> comparison. <br /> The weighted reference area value used for herbaceous perennial cover comparisons in the Phase II <br /> bond release block is derived from The Mountain Shrub Reference Area (55%) and the Sagebrush <br /> Reference (45%). Herbaceous perennial cover excludes cover from shrubs, sub-shrubs,trees and noxious <br /> weeds. The success standard used for comparison against the Phase II bond release block is calculated by <br /> taking 90%of this weighted reference area value. Chart 3 displays the results from ground cover sampling <br /> and reveals that the Phase II bond release block significantly exceeds the reference area comparison with <br /> 28.3% herbaceous perennial cover versus the 16.4% herbaceous perennial cover standard (90% of <br /> 18.2%). Thus, revegetation success for ground cover has been demonstrated in the Phase II Unit. <br /> Chart 3 <br /> Herbaceous Perennial Vegetation Cover-Success Comparison <br /> 35 <br /> L 30 <br /> i <br /> U <br /> = 25 <br /> 0 <br /> c� <br /> = 20 <br /> CL <br /> d <br /> 15 <br /> 10 <br /> 5 <br /> 0 <br /> Phase II Success Standard Mtn Shrub R.A. Sagebrush R.A. <br /> 90%of Weighted RA Reference Areas <br /> Value <br /> 17 <br />