REP13257

• Permit No: C1980003
• IBM Index Class Name: Report
• Doc Date: 2/17/1998
• Doc Name: 1997 ARR, TABLE OF CONTENTS, EXHIBIT 1-8
• Permit Index Doc Type: ANNUAL RECLAMATION REPORT
• Media Type: D
• Archive: No

February 1998 H-G Cool 1997Annual Reclamati°n Report ~ PaAe 3
2.0 REVEGETATION
The entire reclaimed mine site and four reference areas were surveyed for vegetative cover,
species diversity, and productivity in August 1997. The reclaimed mine site was also surveyed
for woody plant density. The data indicates an excellent, diverse stand of perennial vegetation
and woody plants typical of revegetation efforts in Northwest Colorado. Exhibit 2, 1997
Vegetation Monitoring, presents the results of the 1997 vegetation monitoring.
Table E-2.1, summarizes the cover, production and shrub density values for the primary
reclaimed and reference areas surveyed in 1997. Reclaimed area ground cover and production
values were similar to or higher than reference area ground cover and production results. The
reclaimed area results were 93.7% and 239 grams per square meter (g/m~ for ground cover and
vegetation production, compared to a range of 94.0% to 97.2% and 91.1 g/m' to 103.5 g/m' for
the reference area ground cover and production results, respectively. Note that the mean
productivity value for the reclaimed area is at least twice as high as for any of the reference
areas.
In response to DMG comments following the 1996 vegetation survey, the vegetation sampling
plan was revised with respect to sample site location prior to the 1997 sample event. During
the 1997 sample, the entire reclaimed area, including small non-contiguous areas (Topsoil Piles
B and C, the Explosive Storage area and the Landfill area), was sampled as one unit using the
simple random method for sample site location. Absolute percent vegetation cover data for the
primary reclaimed area and reference areas are provided on Table E-2.2. Table E-2.3 presents
• absolute vegetation cover data for the non-contiguous reclaimed areas. Table E-2.2 indicates
that the Aspen reference area had the highest absolute vegetattve cover followed by the Oak
Brush reference area, Chokecherry reference area, the primary reclaimed area and the
Sagebrush reference area. Vegetation cover was dominated by perennial grasses on the primary
reclaimed area, Oak Brush reference area and Sagebrush reference area. The location of
vegetation sample sites and reference areas is shown on Map 1 which is included in Exhibit 2,
1997 Vegetation Monitoring.
Shrub and half-shrub density data for the reclaimed area was collected during 1997. An average
of 443 stems per acre was recorded for the primary reclaimed area. The non-contiguous
reclaimed areas generally had higher density data: Topsoil Pile B, 202 stems per acre; Topsoil
Pile C, 4,249 stems per acre; Landfill area, 627 stems per acres; and, Explosive Storage area, 708
seems per acre. With the exception of Topsoil Pile B area, all the reclaimed areas were
considerably higher than the current shrub density standard of 200 stems per acre. Big
sagebrush (Artemesia tridentata) was the dominant shrub followed by Snowberry
(Symphoricarpos occidentalis) and Silver sagebrush (A. cana). Louisiana sagewort (A. ltulovicarta)
was the only half-shrub recorded along the transects. The results of the shrub survey are
presented in Exhibit 2 on Table E-2.4.
Tables E-2.5 and E-2.6 present vegetation production data for the reclaimed areas (including the
non-contiguous areas) and the reference areas. The tables indicate that the productivity is
higher in the reclaimed areas, ranging from 218.2 g/mZ to 348 g/m', than in the reference areas
which ranges from 91.1 g/m' to 103.5 g/mZ.

Montgomery Watsors Americas, Inc. (dba TerraMatrixf
P.O. Box 774018 Steamboat Sprtngs, CO 80477' (970J 879-6160
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