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Erosion 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 area was quantitatively sampled to evaluate revegetation establishment for the final release of liability. Statistical evaluations for cover, production and woody plant density were calculated as necessary to evaluate the reclaimed area's equivalency to the applicable standard. The reclaimed azea meets the revegetation success standard for cover and production. Although, stem densities aze less than required, a healthy, native, reproducing population of shrubs is apparent. 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. The revegetation success standard for previously disturbed mine sites relies on the adequacy of ground cover to control erosion and provide cover equivalent to that prior to redisturbance. The cover standard was set at 30 percent, and the measured reclaimed cover was 35.3 percent, guazan[eeing the fulfillment of the Rule 4.15.10 requirements. The Blue Flame Mine reclaimed azea has a mixture of native perennial graminoid, forb and shrub species -displaying successful establishment of aself-regenerating, permanent vegetation community in the middle stages of succession. Species composition data illustrate a trend in vegetation community development toward the stable, self-perpetuating vegetation community desired on a given post-mining landscape. The high production values for the reclaimed area demonstrate the aeea's ability to provide the necessary resources for plant success and to meet the post mining land uses of rangeland and wildlife habitat. Based on the quantitative sampling performed at Blue Flame Mine in July of 2003, 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.