Laserfiche WebLink
SUMMARY <br />• Quantitative monitoring of the 1995 and 1997 reclamation azeas, the 1998 reseeded or <br />interseeded azeas, and the Osgood sand reference azea in 2001 showed that only the 1997 <br />reclamation areas did not meet final revegetation success criteria for total vegetation <br />cover. With regard to total herbaceous production, all reclamation azeas exceeded the <br />total herbaceous production value from the Osgood sand reference azea, therefore meeting <br />the revegetation success criterion for herbaceous production. Of the areas sampled in <br />2001, only the 1995 reclamation areas could meet the species composition revegetation <br />success criterion (including the Osgood sand reference azea). Though sampling results <br />were mixed with regazd to meeting final bond release criteria, it was concluded that the <br />reclamation azeas have established a diverse, effective, and permanent vegetation cover of <br />the same seasonal variety native to the area and are capable of self-regeneration and plant <br />succession in accordance with the requirements of the Colorado Surface Coal Mining <br />Reclamation Act. <br />V. PEST AND DISEASE INSPECTIONS <br />Four quarterly inspections were conducted at the Keenesburg Mine to evaluate the <br />presence or potential for pest or disease infestations or outbreaks. The inspections were <br />conducted on February 29, June 14, July 31-August 4, and December 4, 2001. Inspection <br />reports from those inspections are located in the appendix. <br />• During those inspections no disease conditions at any of the reclaimed and revegetated <br />azeas were identified. No plant pests were found which were affecting the growth of the <br />vegetation. No bare azeas, or areas which appeazed to be affected by infestation or blight <br />were found during the inspections. <br />u <br />-23- <br />