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Kent Gorham <br />June 18, 1999 <br />Page 2 <br />Kaiser was eligible for Phase I bond release upon completion of mine related reclamation <br />activities. Consequently, on July 30, 1990, Kaiser filed an application with the CDMG for Phase <br />I bond release. Release of $150,000 was granted on December 20, 1990. This release reduced <br />the remaining bond amount to $100,000. <br />Kaiser applied for Phase II bond release under the Colorado Surface Coal Mining Reclamation Act <br />on September 16, 1996. In accordance with CDMG guidelines, up to 85 percent of the original <br />bond for an area can be released under Phase II approval. Consequently, the CDMG released <br />$62,000 of bond liability on November 25, 1996. The remaining amount of bond liability equals <br />$38,000 and is retained to cover the costs of re-establishing vegetation by a third party during the <br />remainder of the liability period. <br />Methods to measure herbaceous ground cover, production, and species diversity are discussed in <br />the following sections. <br />Random Sample Locations <br />Vegetative cover will be sampled using 25-meter point-intercept transects that are randomly <br />located and oriented within the reference and reclaimed areas. Sample locations for the 25-meter <br />point-intercept transects were generated using a grid system overlain on maps of the reference and <br />reclaimed areas. Random numbers were generated utilizing the Quattro Pro Version 6 random <br />number generator. The resultant random numbers table determined the coordinates for transect <br />origin and compass bearing. Sample locations were numbered and detailed on Figures 1 and 2. <br />Sample locations will be determined in the field by pacing from recognizable landmarks. <br />Herbaceous Ground Cover <br />Vegetative ground cover will be evaluated by placing a 25-meter tape along each transect location. <br />Two sampling points (one meter apart) on both sides of the transect will be sampled atone meter <br />intervals, resulting in 50 sample points per transect. Each corresponding sample point is <br />determined by projection of the ocular sight (Cover-Point Optical Point Projection Device, Model <br />2) vertically downward and physically recording all manner of "first hits". The "first hits" will <br />be recorded as rock, bare ground, litter, or live vegetation. Live vegetation will be further <br />classified to genus and species. <br />The live vegetative "first hits" will be used to calculate total vegetative cover for each transect <br />according to Equation 1. <br />_. <br />