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<br />corresponding reference azea with 90% degree of confidence. The Phase II vegetative <br />requirements have been met on Area 41. <br />Although achievement of the diversity standard is not a requirement for Phase II bond release, the <br />Division evaluates the submitted data to determine if the established vegetative community is <br />approaching the diversity standard. CYCC 's diversity standard is based on productivity data. <br />(Permit page 780-136-3) The Eckman Park and Energy Mine No. 1 diversity standard states, "The <br />species diversity standards for pastureland states that alfalfa shall not exceed 75% relative <br />production and perennial grasses shall provide at least 25 % relative production. Also, no single <br />species shall exceed 75% relative percent cover." Since productivity data were not collected for <br />the Phase II sampling, the Division evaluated the Phase II cover data for vegetative community <br />diversity trend. <br />No one species exceeded more than 75% relative cover. Smooth brome grass (Brom:~s inern:is) <br />exhibited the greatest relative cover at 25.12%. The second most prevalent species was alfalfa <br />(Medicago sntiva) at 18.34% relative cover. Based upon the herbaceous cover data, Eckman Park <br />and Energy Mine No. 1 vegetative community appeazs to meet the diversity standard. <br />Ponds <br />After the Division approved final bond release (SL-06) of Energy Mine No. 2 in 1998, CYCC <br />reclaimed sediment pond K and the associated topsoil pile footprint in accordance with the mine <br />reclamation plan. Pond A has been approved to remain as a permanent impoundment (TR-16 <br />approved 4(22!88). All spoil springs in the Eckman Park area report to Pond A. The adjacent <br />underground mining operation, Foidel Creek Mine, uses water from Pond A for dust suppression. <br />Pond H and its associated collection ditches in the Energy Mine No. 1 area were approved to <br />remain as permanent structures in support of the post-mining land use (TR-39 approved 4/20/00). <br />PHASE Ill <br />CYCC has requested partial final (Phase I[I) bond release on 224.4 acres in the mining area known <br />as Area 41. Area 41 is located in Township 4N, Range 87W, Southeast)/4 Section 13, and <br />portions of Section 24. Annual, biennial, and noxious species were not counted towards <br />herbaceous cover or productivity. A 4.5-acre portion of area 41 was seeded in 1990. This 4.5-acre <br />parcel will not be eligible for final bond release since, at the time of data collection in 1997 and <br />1998, ten years had not passed from the last seeding date. The 4.5 acre parcel is not included in <br />the 224.4 acres included in the partial Phase III bond release request. <br />Cover <br />Phase III reclamation success is defined in the permit as, "revegetation of reclaimed sites will be <br />deemed successful when measurements of reclaimed herbaceous cover and productivity are at <br />least 90 percent of the cover and productivity values for the reference azea with 90 percent <br />statistical confidence." <br />Colorado Yampa Coal Company: SL07 Findings I I/00 page 7 c:\jhb\C081071\SL07(nd.doc <br />