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<br />2.05-69 Rev. 11/96- PR07; 04/06-PR10; 12/14- TR136, 04/24 – TR153 <br />therefore the effect on vegetation growth, it was determined that the three years comprising the <br />historic record should represent the variability of precipitation to be encountered at the site. For the <br />purposes of the historic record; one low (dry), one average (normal), and one high (wet) <br />precipitation year would be represented, based on precipitation records from a weather recording <br />station in the area. Determination of the year type (low, average, high) would be made based on the <br />precipitation sum preceding the growing season (i.e., the sum of precipitation from October of the <br />previous year to May of the current year). Low and high precipitation years were defined as years <br />where the precipitation sum differed by 10 percent or more from the average precipitation sum for <br />the October-May time period. <br /> <br />This vegetation community is to be quantitatively sampled for three years for total vegetation cover, <br />total herbaceous production, species composition and woody plant density. Initial collection of data <br />began in 1996. After collecting the three different growing seasons data, the mean values from each <br />parameter for each of the three years are averaged to obtain a historic record revegetation success <br />standard for each parameter. The revegetation success criteria developed from the historic record <br />data will be applied to all revegetated areas at the West Elk Mine. <br /> <br />A summary report will be completed after each year that vegetation sampling has occurred in the <br />Historic Record Study Area. The summary report will be submitted to CDRMS for review. Upon <br />completion of the final vegetation sampling (third year), a revision application will be submitted <br />which includes a final report that details the results of all historic record vegetation sampling and <br />establishes revegetation success standards based on the values of the historic record. <br /> <br />Revegetation success criteria for reclaimed and revegetated lands at the West Elk Mine are <br />presented in Table 41. When monitored or sampled for bond or liability release, vegetation <br />sampling will employ quantitative methods previously accepted by CDRMS. Timing of all <br />sampling will be consistent with plant anthesis and/or maximum biomass development. Vegetation <br />sampling will be undertaken to sample adequacy for bond release vegetation sampling. A Student's <br />test comparison will be undertaken for each applicable parameter. Revegetation will be judged <br />successful when the mean value from the revegetated area is equal or greater to 90 percent of the <br />historic record standard with 90 percent statistical confidence for the parameters of total vegetation <br />cover and total herbaceous production. Species composition will be judged successful if the <br />revegetated area meets the standard. Woody plant density will be judged successful if the woody <br />plant density within the wildlife shrub clusters is equal or greater to 90 percent of the numerical <br />standard with 90 percent statistical confidence. <br /> <br />The Historic Records Study Area has been fenced to restrict access to domestic livestock and will <br />remain fenced until revegetation success standards have been established. Weeds will be managed <br />in accordance with the approved Weed Control Plan. The Historic Records Study Area site was <br />chosen in an area which is partially permitted for an Upper Refuse Disposal Pile. MCC will <br />maintain the Historic Record Study Area in its current state for the time period required to acquire <br />the necessary historic record vegetation information. The location of the Historic Record Study area <br />is shown on Map 53. <br /> <br /> Reclaimed Area Monitoring Plan <br />