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Blue Ribbon Mine <br />2004 Revegetation Monitoring <br />1.0 INTRODUCTION <br />Cedar Creek Associates, Inc. (Cedar Creek) was requested in 2004 to implement an evaluation of <br />the rvegetation at the Blue Ribbon Mine, and to establish two reference areas in the interest of <br />ascertaining rvegetation success in general accordance with Rule 3.03, Release of Performance Bonds <br />and Rule 4.15.7, 8, & 9, Determining Revegetation Success (see Map 2). Evaluations that occurred <br />generally followed procedures indicated within approved permitting documents with minor modifications <br />(improvements) that were in compliance with Coloredo Division of Minerals and Geology (DMG) bond <br />release guidelines (Guideline Regarding Selected Coal Mine Bond Release Issues, April 18, 1995). <br />Modfications primarily involved the use of the "reverse null hypothesis" testing procedure for reference <br />area comparisons even though this procedure presents a more rigorous benchmark for success. <br />Field sampling for the directly measurable variables of ground cover, current annual production and <br />woody plant density, as well as the indirect determination of species diversity (composition} was <br />systematically conducted on May 24th through 26th, 2004. Current conditions notable at the time of <br />sampling were documented through qualitative observations, and by several photos providing a visual <br />demonstration of site-specific condtons. In addition, past wncems regarding the boundary between the <br />re-established grassland and riparian communities were addressed by mapping the currently expressed <br />boundaries of the riparian zone utilizing asub-meter GPS (see Map 1). Sampling and mapping were <br />conducted by Cedar Creek's senior Range Ecologist, Mr. Steven R. Viert, with assistance from Mr. Erik M. <br />Mohr (Cedar Creek Plant Ecobgist). <br />According to file records available to Cedar Creek, the revegetated areas that are the subject of this <br />evaluation were seeded in 1986 (18 years prior to sampling in 2004) in accordance with permitting <br />requirements. These areas have developed into two mid-sera) heterogeneous communities dominated by <br />a variety of grasses, forts and shrubs. Permitted post-mining land uses are livestock grazing with <br />incidental uses as wildlife habitat and recreation. <br />c~a~ c~~ ~s§®cuAV~~.q nvc Page 1 Blue Ribbon Mine - Revegerauon Evaluatbn <br />