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collected within these areas. Therefore, it is the belief of this observer that the shrub establishment areas created more than meet the shrub composition component of the regulations. At the Blue Flame Mine Site there is no evidence of significant surface runoff, leading to erosion. No evidence of rills and gullies was present within or below the reclaimed/revegetated area. These field observations conclude that the vegetative ground cover is sufficient to control erosion. IV. Conclusion The reclaimed azea was quantitatively sampled to evaluate revegetation establishment for the final release of liability. Statistical evaluations were calculated as necessary to evaluate the reclaimed azea's equivalency to the applicable standard. The reclaimed azea meets the revised revegetation success cover, production, and stem density requirements for the final release of liability. With no pre-mine vegetation data to use as a basis for establishing a standard, CDMG relied on initial baseline vegetation data collected by the mine during the permitting process, Sections 2.04.10 and 2.05.4 of the permit application, and the requirements of Rule 4.15.10. As the revegetation success standard for previously disturbed mine sites relies on adequacy of ground cover to control erosion and provide cover equivalent to that prior to redisturbance. The cover standard was set at 30 percent, guazanteeing the fulfillment of the Rule 4.15.10 requirements. This reclaimed area has a mixture of native perennial graminoid, forb and shrub species - displaying successful establishment of a self-regenerating, permanent vegetation community in the middle stages of succession. Species composition data should illustrate a trend in vegetation community development toward the stable, self-perpetuating vegetation community desired on a given post-mining landscape. Relatively high production values for a given reclaimed area demonstrate the area's ability to provide the necessary resources for plant success and the seeded plants' abilities to effectively utilize those resources. Based on quantitative sampling performed at Blue Flame Mine in July of 2002, it is evident that a diverse, successful, and permanent vegetation cover of the same seasonal variety native to the area has been established. This reclaimed area is capable of self- regeneration and plant succession in accordance with the requirements of the Colorado Surface Coal Mining Reclamation Act.