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<br />The Division sampled topsoil laydown thickness in area 41 in October 1987. The Division <br />collected 44 samples over 195.2 acres in Area 4l. The mean topsoil replacement thickness was <br />23.55 inches. No topsoil piles remain in the Area 41 mining district. A 7.3-acre area received <br />Division approval for exemption from topsoil laydown and seeding. This 7.3 acre area is located <br />at the extreme southern extent of Area 41 and has been designated the Aspen Regeneration Study. <br />Treatment of this study site consisted of brush removal and topsoil stripping. This 7.3-acre site <br />was not mined. Aspen shoots regenerated from existing rootstock in the subsoil. CYCC requested <br />that this site be allowed to regenerate aspen with no replaced topsoil, grass or forb seeding. The <br />Division approved the exemption. During the July 19, 2000 bond release inspection, [his 7.3-acre <br />study azea exhibits numerous aspen suckers approximately 2-4 feet tall. Some forb and grasses <br />have invaded the site naturally. Rill and gully features are minimal and this site does not appear to <br />be contributing additional sediment down slope. <br />Phase II Vegetative Cover <br />As stated in the permit (Page 780-136-2), the "revegetation of reclaimed sites will be deemed <br />successful when measurements of reclaimed herbaceous cover and productivity are at least 90 <br />percent of the cover and productivity values for the reference azea with 90 percent statistical <br />confidence." Productivity is not a criteria for reclamation success at Phase II evaluation, so <br />productivity will not be considered in the evaluation for Phase II success. <br />Seed mixes planted on the Eckman Park and Energy Mine No. 1 reclaimed areas aze included in <br />the bond release application in Table No. 1. <br />CYCC collected herbaceous vegetation data on the Eckman Park and Energy Mine No. I area in <br />July and Augus[ 1997. The data was collected to sample adequacy. Herbaceous cover on the <br />pastureland reference area was 63.67%. Herbaceous cover on the reclaimed area was 68.74%. <br />The cover on the reclaimed area exceeded the herbaceous cover measured on the corresponding <br />pasture reference area with a 90% degree of confidence. The Phase 11 vegetative requirements have <br />been met on the Eckman Park Mine and Energy Mine No. 1. <br />Reclaimed Area 41 is located in Township 4N, Range 87 W, Southeast I/4 Section 13, and <br />portions of Section 24. In 1997, Area 4l was sampled between August 7, 1997 and August 20, <br />1997, separately from the rest of the Eckman Park and Energy Mine No. 1 reclaimed azea. CYCC <br />collected 50 transects for both cover and production. CYCC submitted a map depicting 1997 <br />sample transect locations in Area 41. <br />Sample adequacy was achieved for cover on the 1997 sampling of Area 41. Herbaceous cover of <br />"desirable species" in Area 41 was measured at 64.78%. This value does not include noxious <br />species, annual or biennial grasses and fortis. Noxious species accounted for 2.9% relative <br />herbaceous cover. CYCC has regularly implemented a weed control program throughout Area 41. <br />This proportion of weed species is not excessive nor does it interfere with the post mining land- <br />use. The herbaceous cover measured on the pastureland reference area corresponding to the Area <br />41 sampling was 63.66%. Herbaceous cover on Area 41 exceeded that measured on the <br />Colorado Yampa Coal Company: SL07 Findings I1/00 page 6 c:\jhb\COgl07{\SL07 Cnd.doc <br />