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collected in 2003 will be compared to the average of the data collected at the reference areas in 1981 and the pre-mine data, obtained from the revegetation plan from the permit submitted October 16, 1981. III. Results and Discussion Cover 2003 vegetative cover data on the reclaimed New Pryor Mine area was 30.93%, which exceeds 90% of the cover standard established by the Division (20.7%). Data are presented in Table 2. Vegetative cover measured in 2003 showed a marked increase from the 8.93% vegetative cover measured in 2002. This increase shows that the reclaimed community is self-sustaining and can recover from severe stress experienced during the drought of 2002. Litter accounted for an additional 21.47% non-living cover, and rock cover added another 1.6%. Total oflive-vegetation, litter and rock was 54%. Observation of the mine site shows a minimum of erosional features, which would indicate that the 54% total cover is adequate to control erosion. Twenty-four species were recorded during the cover sampling. Species found are shown on Table 1. The twenty-four species consist of seven perennial graminoids, nine perennial forbs, and eight annual or biennial species. Perennial grasses combined made up 9.2% cover (29.7% relative cover). Perennial forbs comprised 15.86% vegetative cover (51.3% relative cover), while annuals and biennials made up 5.9% vegetative cover (19.1% relative cover). Six species contributed greater than 3% relative cover each. Those six species were; Western wheatgrass (10.78% relative cover), Smooth brome (10.34% relative cover) Green needle-grass (3.88% relative cover), Scarlet globemallow (6.47% relative cover), Field bindweed (40.09% relative cover), and red-stem filaree (13.79% relative cover). Species Composition Sixteen perennial species were encountered, seven grasses and nine forbs. One forb, field bindweed (Convo/vulus arvense), is considered a weedy species on the Colorado state weed list but is not considered a noxious weed in Huerfano County. Though not a preferred species, field bindweed has benefits for erosion control and can provide shade cover for seedling establishment of preferred species. Field bindweed is not considered noxious or toxic to livestock. Of the seven perennial grass species measured, only one species, Smooth brome, is considered introduced. All others are native species. Three perennial grass species are considered warm season and four are cool season. Sampling occurred relatively early in the growing season for the warm season species. The timing of the sampling favored the cool season species. Two cool season grass species, Agropyron smithii (Western wheatgrass) and Bromus inermis 6