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May 29, 2003 <br />RECEIVE® <br />JUN 0 ~ ~~ <br />~~BI -Oz3 <br />Harry Ranney <br />Division of Minerals and Ceolo9y <br />Environmental Protection Specialist <br />Colorado Division of Minerals and Geology <br />Denver, Colorado 80203 <br />RE: Chimney Rock Mine Vegetation Sampling Studyplan for 2003 <br />Dear Mr. Ranney: <br />Kaiser Ventures, Inc. (Kaiser) is submitting the following vegetation sampling protocol to comply <br />with CDMG guidelines pertaining to Phase III bond release applications. Kaiser proposes to conduct <br />vegetation sampling in June and August of 2003, year ten plus one of the bond liability period, at the <br />Chimney Rock Mine, Permit Number C-81-0~3. Two sampling events are proposed for summer <br />2003 specifically to target the peak growth for coo:-season grasses (June) and warm-season grasses <br />(August). Sampling will be conducted on two reciairned land units; the Barren Ridge/Revision 1, and <br />the East Pit. Sampling will also be conducted on the Dryland Reference Area.. Vegetative cover, <br />herbaceous production, and species diversity will be evaluated on all areas sampled in accordance <br />with the requirements specified in the mine permit. <br />The Chimney Rock Mine is a relatively small surface coal mine located in Archuleta County off <br />State Highway 151, approximately 17 miles southwest ofPagosa Springs, Colorado. The mine is in <br />Sections 29 and 30, Township 34 North, Range 4 West, with a permit area of 187.5 acres. <br />Methods to measure vegetative ground cover, herbaceous production, and species diversity are <br />discussed in the following sections, and are approved in the permit document. <br />Random Sample Locations <br />Vegetative cover and herbaceous production will be sampled on each reclaimed area and the Dryland <br />Reference Area using 50-meter point-intercept transects that are randomly located and oriented. <br />Sample locations for the point-intercept transects were generated using a grid system overlain on <br />maps of the reference and reclaimed areas. Random numbers were generated using the Microsoft <br />Excel 2000 Version 9.0.2720 random number generator. The resulting random n umbers t able <br />established the coordinates For transect origin and compass bearing. S ample 1 ocations w ill b e <br />determined in the field by pacing from recognizable landmarks. <br />