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Pebruory 1998 Hayden Culch Mine `Phase 1 fi 3 Band Release Application ~ PaAe 6 3) Documentation of Successful Establishment ofReveAetation: • Exhibit 1, Vegetation Study for Final Bond Release, presents the report, H-G Mine 1996 and 1997 Reclamation study for Final Bond Release (1996 and 1997 Reclamation Study). The 1996 data was originally submitted to the DMG in a transmittal dated March 12, 1997. The 1996 reporz documented results of the reclaimed and reference azeas vegetation sampling conducted during August 1996. The report presented sampling methodology and results for: - Cover - Productivity - Species diversity - Woody stem density - Reclamation success evaluation Reference azeas were sampled and compazed statistically to the data obtained from the reclaimed azeas using methods outlined in the Bond Release Guidelines and approved by DMG. DMG staff were present on site at the initiation of the field work to observe sampling methods and discuss technical issues such as sample site location methods, point sampling techniques and species identification. The vegetation sampling plan was revised at the request of the DMG for the 1997 survey with respect to sample site location. During the 1996 survey, sample site locations were determined using a modified proportional allocation scheme with random sample site locations. In 1997, the entire mine site was sampled using the simple random method for site location. The small non-conttguotss azeas (Topsoil Piles "A", "B", the Explosive Storage azea and the Landfill area) were evaluated as part of the entire area. To allow for a compartson of results between the 1996 and 1997 data, the 1996 data was re-evaluated and incorporated into the 1996 and 1997 Reclamation Study. Identical vegetation pazameters were sampled during the 1997 study using the same methodologies used in the 1996 study. Results of the 1997 survey are also included in the 1996 and 1997 Reclamation Study. Revised 1996 Data Table 2, Statistical Evaluations for the Revised 1996 Data for the Primary Reclaimed and Reference Areas, presents summary statistics for the 1996 vegetation sampling. Table 3, Revised 1996 Absolute Cover Data, summaries cover data for the reclaimed area and the four reference azeas. Table 4, 1996 Shrub Density Data, summazizes shrub and half-shrub density data for the reclaimed azea. The revised 1996 vegetation monitoring data indicates that the reclaimed area vegetation cover is similar to the vegetation cover in the reference azeas. The chokecherry reference area had the greatest vegetation cover (80.6%), followed by the aspen reference azea (79.29'0), the primary reclaimed area (77.9%), the oak brush reference area (75.0%) and the sagebrush reference azea (69.2%). The absolute cover data indicates chat the primary reclaimed area had the greatest ground cover (96.2%) followed by the aspen reference (96.0%), the chokecherry reference area (95.6%), the oak brush reference area (94.2%) and the sagebrush reference azea (93.6). Montgomery Watson Americas (dba 7erraMatrixJ • P.O. Box 774018 Steamboat Springs, Colorado 80977 • (970J 8796260 io.•.em.n.. s c s mw xd.. •M.~:rmv+,~ i t s rd nd...nM..m, rnenad.