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Revegetation Evaluation - 2006 <br />Snowcap Coal Co. <br />1.0 INTRODUCTION <br />1.1 Gener I <br />Cedar Creek Associates, Inc. (Cedar Creek) was contracted in 2006 by Snowcap Coal Company <br />(Snowcap) to perform an evaluation of vegetation within selected revegetated units at the Snowcap Mine <br />(a.k.a. Powderhorn Coal Co. -Roadside Mine). Monitoring was performed in the interest of ascertaining <br />progress of on-the-ground revegetation in general accordance with Rule 3.03, Release of Performance <br />Bonds. The revegetated areas evaluated in 2006 consisted of a total of 16 units ranging in size from less <br />than an acre to 20.2 acres. In addition, the Greasewood and Shadscale Reference Areas were evaluated <br />to provide comparison values. At the time of sampling, revegetation within evaluated units had typically <br />experienced four growing seasons since the completion of seeding or reseeding. Sampling points within <br />each unit are indicated on Maps 1 - 3 at the rear of this document. <br />Field sampling for the directly measurable variable of ground cover (which can also be converted to <br />indicate species composition) was systematically conducted within the 16 reclaimed areas as well as <br />within the two reference areas on May 25"' & 26'", 2006. Sampling was conducted by and/or under the <br />direct supervision of Cedar Creek's senior Range Ecologist, Mr. Steven R, Viert or Plant Ecologist, Mr. Erik <br />M. Mohr. Each of the 16 revegetation units was systematically sampled with 10 ground cover transacts. <br />Furthermore, the Shadscale and Greasewood Reference areas each received 20 ground cover transacts <br />to facilitate collection of an adequate sample. In addition to the sampling effort, current conditions <br />existing at the time of field work were documented by photos of each segregate area (see Plates 1 - 36) <br />to provide a visual demonstration of site-conditions. Nomenclature for plant taxa follows Weber and <br />Whitman (1996) and lifeform classification regarding sub-shrubs follows Wyoming DEQ (1999). <br />CEDAR CREEK ASSOCIATES, INC. Page 1 SNOWCAP COAL COMPANY <br />Revegetation Evaluabon - 2006 <br />