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INTEROFFICE MEMORANDUM TO: JASON DfUSICK FROM: JANF..T HINNS SUBJECT: EAS'PSIDE NE, 9540 3, 2007 \'EGETAI'ION SAMPLING DATE: 10/31/2007 CC: UAN HERNANDE'L I have reviewed Eastside Coal Company's submittal of their 2007 vegetation sampling report. The reclaimed azea of the mine was sampled June 14, 2007 for vegetation cover data for final bond release application. No noxious weeds were encountered during the 2007 sampling event. Plant species encountered during the 2007 vegetation sampling aze documented in Table 3 of the 2007 Quantitative Vegetation Study, Eastside Mine. In accordance with Rule 4.15.10(1) the xevegetation success criteria is based upon vegetative cover on the mine site (permit page 91). The vegetative cover standard for the site is 35%. Vegetation data collected on the reclaimed mine site in June 2007 measured 57.73%. Fifteen randomly determined 25-meter long txansects were used to collect the data. The data achieved sample adequacy. Data collection methodology deviated very slightly Exom the method description found in the permit. A 25-meter long transect length was used in the 2006 sampling event, while the permit states that a 100-foot long transect would be utilized. Random distribution of transects, point-intercept data collection was used, and sample adequary was achieved, resulting in the deviation of the transect length Exom that stated in the permit as insigniFcant. Though not required as criteria for reclamation success fox the Eastside Mine, the operator included detail regarding species composition. The data shows a healthy species composition with 13 flowering plant species encountered in the sample data. Seven of the species exhibited greater than 3% relative cover, with no one species exceeding 25% relative cover. No species were considered noxious, although one species, Bromur tectorum (Cheatgrass), is a weedy introduced annual. Cheatgrass is present throughout Colorado. Cheatgrass was measured at 11.68% relative cover in the reclaimed area which is an increase of 3.94% over that measured in 2006. Enough other desirable species were present in the reclaimed azea that the increase in the Cheatgrass is not an indication of degradation of the plant community. The 2007 vegetation sampling data show that Eastside Mine has exceeded the reclamation success standard Eor revegetation for 2007.