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EVALUATION OF RECLAMATION SUCCESS FOR PHASE BOND RELEASE The requirements for Phase III bond release are aten-year minimum liability period since initial seeding, documentation of revegetation success criteria, proof of post mining land use capability, and analysis of effects to surface and groundwater quantiTy and quality (CDMG; Guidelines Regarding Selected Coal Mine Bond Release Issues, 1995). The year 2002 sampling event completes the last of the last two years of the ten-year liability period for the AVF Reclaimed Area. Achievement of the remaining requisite was documented by surveying the established vegetation for cover, production, and species diversity standards; proving sustainable use of the AVF Reclaimed Area due to significant herbaceous production values; and analysis of water quality and quantity data collected from the site over a 17 year period. Each condition and its supporting documentation are discussed in the following sections. REVEGETATION SUCCESS Alluvial Valley Floor (AVF) Vegetation on the AVF Reclaimed and AVF Reference Areas was randomly sampled on July 8, 9, and 10, 2001, and June 11, 12, 13, 24, 25, 26, and 27, 2002. Vegetative cover, species composition, and herbaceous biomass production were evaluated. The results of the study are summarized below. A detailed description of the study and analyses are presented in Appendix A. The approved reclamation success standazds for the AVF Reclaimed Area, as specified by the CDMG during permitting, for the Chimney Rock Mine aze as follows: Cover -Vegetation cover will be restored on the AVF Reclaimed Area to 90 percent of the cover on the AVF Reference Area. Production -Vegetation production will be restored on [he AVF Reclaimed Area to 90 percent of the production on the AVF Reference Area. Species Diversity -The diversity standard for the AVF Reclaimed Area, as stated in the permit, calls for the establishment of three cool-season grasses and one perennial forb, each with a relative cover value between 3 and 40 percent. Year 2001 vegetative cover values for approved species on the AVF Reclaimed Area (42.7%) were determined to exceed the approved cover values for the AVF Reference Area (22.6%), thereby satisfying the success standard specified in the permit. Year 2001 herbaceous production on the AVF Reclaimed Area (2,444 lbs./acre) exceeded the production values for the AVF Reference Area (895 lbs./acre), thereby satisfying the success standazd specified in the permit. Analysis of species diversity shows the AVF Reclaimed Area to satisfy the standard established in the permit. Four cool-season grasses and one perennial forb are present at between 3 and 40 percent relative cover. A complete list of the species sampled in 2001, including mean absolute cover and relative cover values, is presented on Tables A-8 and A-10.