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I. Introduction <br />The Division of Minerals and Geology collected vegetation data on the Rimrock Mine on June 24 and <br />25, 2003, in support of an application for release of liability associated with CDMG permit C-1989-074. <br />The Rimrock Mine is located in Las Animas County. Rimrock Mine was a surface coal mine that <br />commenced operations in November, 1991, and initiated reclamation in 1992. The permit azea <br />encompasses 38.7 acres. Only 19.6 acres were disturbed by the mining operation and were included in <br />the vegetation sampling protocol. Vegetation sampling was conducted in accordance with Colorado <br />Mined Land Reclamation Boazd Surface Coal Mining Rules 2.04.10 and 4.15, and current botanical and <br />ecological methods. <br />II. Methods <br />Timing <br />Field sampling was conducted on June 23 and 24, 2003 by CDMG personnel. Vegetative data collected <br />included live vegetative cover, herbaceous production and woody stem density data. Timing of the <br />sampling was scheduled to coincide with active biomass production and vegetation identification of both <br />warm season and cool season species. No domestic grazing had occurred on the reclaimed azea during <br />the 2003 growing season prior to sampling. The landowner indicated that he planned to graze the <br />reclaimed azea in late September to eazly October, for a week to ten days. Seeding of the reclaimed <br />mine occurred in the fall of 1993. This sampling event represents the I0`h year following seeding. <br />In 2002, Colorado experienced a serious drought. 2003 has seen a recovery in precipitation levels for <br />the first 6 months of the year. Vegetation on the reclaimed mine site has responded favorably. <br />Sampling Design <br />Prior to data collection in on the reclaimed mine site, the permit document, permit revisions, prior <br />sampling data, and applicable maps were reviewed to evaluate topography, sampling parcels, <br />revegetation methods and timing, and applicable revegetation standards. <br />A 1;1200 scale (1 inch=100 ft.) map of the permit area (permit map "Exhibit KK-1") was used to <br />delineate the sampling azea consisting of all reclaimed areas within the permit area. A Cartesian grid <br />was overlaid upon the reclaimed areas and sample sites were established using randomization computer <br />program. Computer generated random numbers were used to establish a pool of (x,y) coordinates. <br />Fifteen random locations were initially plotted on the map within the reclaimed area. Sample locations <br />were evaluated to ensure representative sampling over the entire reclamation area. Sample sites were <br />located in the field by pacing from known landmarks. Figure 1 illustrates the location of the transect <br />sample start points. <br />Vegetative Cover and Species composition <br />Vegetation cover was estimated by the use of the point-intercept method. A ten-point laser point frame <br />was used. Ten laser points aze spaced every 10 cm along a 1 meter bar, which is mounted on a tripod. <br />The lasers project down to the ground surface. The point at which the laser was intercepted was <br />