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RULE 2 PERMITS <br /> <br />South Taylor – Rule 2, Page 32 Revision Date: 7/21/25 <br /> Revision No.: MR-267 <br />development of performance standards responsive to Rule 4.15.7 for the disturbed area associated with <br />the South Taylor Mine Area. The referenced “Study Area” is a specific delineation including the overall <br />Permit Area that incorporates all disturbances plus a buffer to facilitate modest engineering flexibility and <br />encompasses an area of 9,725 acres (Map 4). The total acreages and percentage of each vegetation type <br />identified in the South Taylor Mining Area are presented in Table 2.04.10-7. The vegetation communities <br />delineated are shown on Map 4. <br />The vegetation inventory was conducted to: 1) determine the percent cover of vegetation canopy, rock, <br />litter, and bare ground in major vegetation types; 2) determine the annual production of herbaceous <br />species in major vegetation types; 3) estimate the density of woody species in major vegetation types; 4) <br />determine carrying capacity; 5) compile a vegetation map of the study area; 6) compile a list of species <br />observed within the study area; and 7) assess the presence or absence of threatened and/or endangered <br />plant species within the study area; 8) obtain qualitative information concerning minor vegetation types. <br />This inventory was conducted by Harner & Associates, Inc. for Consolidation Coal Co. during the <br />growing season of 1984 with a report of final results submitted in January, 1985 (see Exhibit 10, Item 5 <br />for an original copy of this document). The following discussion is excerpted (and occasionally <br />modified) from this document. <br />Methodology – The following is a description of methodology used in determining and measuring <br />vegetation communities within the South Taylor Study Area. <br />Community Type Mapping - Vegetation types within the study area were delineated and mapped on 1” = <br />2,000' color aerial photographs and 1" = 400' blue-line photomosaic base maps provided by Consolidation <br />Coal Company. Differences in shading and texture were used as a guide in delineating vegetation types. <br />The vegetation map was ground-truthed in the field during the course of other segments of the study. <br />Vegetation types greater than two acres in size were mapped separately. <br />Species List - A list of vascular plant species was compiled from species observed during the course of <br />field work conducted in summer of 1984. Species observed were identified in the field with the use of <br />floral keys by Harrington (1964), Hitchcock & Chase (1951), and Weber (1976). Notes were made as to <br />the date of collection, location of collection, habitat, exposure, slope, elevation, soil, and collector. Dried <br />specimens were verified by Dr. William Weber at the University of Colorado Herbarium. Specimens not <br />readily identified in the field were collected in standard herbarium manner. Weedy species were <br />determined using Thornton et al. (1974). The authorities for scientific names were obtained from Weber <br />and Johnson (1979). Common names were taken from the USDA Forest Service (1976). <br />Species considered threatened or endangered in Colorado and potentially occurring at the study area were <br />determined by review of the USDA-USDI (1979) publication, An Illustrated Guide to the Threatened and <br />Endangered Plant Species in the Rocky Mountain Region; the Federal Register listing of Threatened and <br />Endangered Species (USDI 1980) and information contained with the Colorado Natural Heritage <br />Inventory. <br />Study Area Defined - The study area for the vegetation inventory was defined as those lands containing <br />the surface disturbance areas, buffer areas, and adjacent reference areas consisting of approximately 9,725 <br />acres. Although not required by CMLRD regulations, the entire boundary was included in the vegetation <br />sampling rather than just areas where surface disturbance was contemplated. <br />Sampling Design - Study area and reference area sample sites were randomly selected prior to conducting <br />quantitative studies in the field. The sampling sites were located by establishing a grid on the blue-line <br />photomosaic base maps (scale: 1" = 400') along north-south and east-west grid lines with spacings of 1/4" <br />(100’ ground distance). Grid lines were numbered consecutively along two axes and pairs of random