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C1989074: 29=004 Vegetation Sampling Report <br />I. Introduction <br />The Division of Minerals and Geology collected vegetation data on the Rimrock Mine on July 6 and 7, <br />2004, 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 Board 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 July 6 and 7, 2004 by CDMG personnel. Vegetative data collected <br />included live vegetative cover, herbaceous production and species composition 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 2004 growing season prior to sampling. Seeding of the reclaimed mine occurred in the fall of 1993. <br />This sampling event represents the 11 m yeaz following seeding. <br />Sampling Design <br />Prior to data collection 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 (I inch=100 fr.) map of the permit area (permit Map No. 9; Bonding Map) was used to <br />delineate the sampling area 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 />Twenty-two random locations were initially plotted on the map within the reclaimed area. Sample <br />locations were evaluated to ensure representative sampling over the entire reclamation area. Sample <br />sites were located in the field by pacing from known landmarks. Figure 1 illustrates the location of the <br />transect sample start points. Sample adequacy calculations were conducted after collection of the first <br />sixteen cover transects. One transect, no. 8, was eliminated due to a lazge portion of the transect <br />location falling within less than ten feet of the reclamation area edge. If additional transects were <br />required after the first fifteen, additional transect locations were chosen from the remaining start points <br />plotted on the map. <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 are 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 />recorded as live vegetative material (identified to genus and species), litter, rock, or bare ground. Shrubs <br />