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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY • Quantitative sampling of the Osgood sand reference azea, the 1995 and 1997 reclamation azeas, and the azeas reseeded or interseeded in 1998 was conducted in August 2002. Vegetation cover, herbaceous production, and species composition were sampled. Comparisons were made between total vegetation cover and total herbaceous production values from the Osgood sand reference area (which establishes the final revegetation success criteria) and the revegetated azeas. All reclamation azeas exceeded the final revegetation success criterion for total vegetation cover. All reclamation azeas met the final revegetation success criterion for herbaceous production Species composition of the reclamation azeas was also evaluated from a final success criterion perspective. Based on the current requirements of the mining and reclamation permit, none of the reclamation azeas would meet the species composition success criterion. The Osgood sand reference azea, the native vegetation community by which the reclamation is evaluated, did not meet the species composition criterion. Qualitative evaluation of the 1985, 1986, and 1987 reclamation azeas indicated continued successful growth of the vegetation. Areas seeded in the last three years showed typical patterns of growth for eazly successional azeas. Quarterly inspections of the reclamation azeas were conducted during 2002 to assess the presence and impacts of pests and disease to the revegetation. No pests or diseases were identified during the 2002 inspections. I. INTRODUCTION • This report presents the results of the annual revegetation monitoring and pest and disease inspections for the Kcenesburg Mine (Colorado Division of Minerals and Geology permit C-81-028) owned by Coors Energy Company. Quantitative information in this report addresses the vegetative condition of the Osgood sand reference azea, the 1995 and 1997 reclamation azeas, and the areas reseeded or interseeded in 1998 at the mine. The 1985, 1986, 1987, 1999, and 2000 reclamation azeas were visually inspected and evaluated for the same parameters as the above azeas. Vegetative sampling is required by the Colorado Division of Minerals and Geology (CDMG) as part of ongoing reclamation monitoring. Vegetation sampling was performed in compliance with Colorado Mined Land Reclamation Boazd Surface Coal Mining Rules 2.04.10 and 4.15 and current botanical and plant ecological methods. Field sampling was conducted between August 27 and 30, 2002 by Savage and Savage, Inc. biologists. I • The Keenesburg Mine is located in Weld County, Colorado, approximately seven (7) miles north of Keenesburg, Colorado and is accessed by Weld County Road 59. Coors Energy Company operated the Keenesburg Mine for coal extraction from 1980 to 1988. Reclaimed azeas sampled in 2002 were backfilled, graded, topsoiled and revegetated in accordance with the approved mining and reclamation plan. The revegetation standazds used to evaluate these azeas aze those currently in effect under the Colorado Surface Coal Mining Reclamation Act (CRS 34-33-101 et seq) and the Keenesburg Mining and Reclamation Permit (C-81-028). Coors Energy Company Page 1 2002 Revegetation Monitoring Report