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• standard of 1000 stems per acre reveals that most of the monitored areas fail short. However, 4 of the <br />14 units or 29% {516011, EP036, FA001, and FA003) exceed the standard. Woody plant density in tfie <br />fire areas is aided by resprouting of burnt shrub speces and their close proximity to an elevated suppy of <br />shrub seed from nearby native vegetation. A high shrub densil in EP036 is due largely to the Cobrado <br />State University experimental shrub plots that exist within the unit's boundaries and where densities <br />average over 5,000 shrubs per acre. The explanation for the successful shrub establishment in unit <br />516011 as compared to adjacent units is not fully understood, but most likely has to due with soil type <br />and depth, and the conditions at the time of seeding being conducive to excellent emergence by <br />sagebrush. As stated in the 2003 report, it is Cedar Creek's recommendation that Coiowyo pursue a <br />program of modification. This program would provide several avenues for correction of the woody plant <br />density issue (see Appends AA -Section 7.3) by modifying bosh the success criterion as well as "in-the- <br />field" revegetation efforts. <br />Considering the 2004 monitoring effort as a whole, observed revegetation at the Colowyo mine is <br />generally in good condition and well onto the path of successional advancement. An occasional unit that <br />exhibits elevated levels of annual grasses or early sera) weeds may or may not need remediation <br />(herbicide treatment) depending on future (more normal) preapitation patterns that should favor planted <br />• perennials. As revegetated communities continue to mature, the majority should meet lath land use <br />goats and bond release success criteria with regard to ground cover, diversity, and current annual <br />production. However, woody plant densities in most units with at feast two growing seasons are bebw, <br />and occasionally weft below, the current standard of 1,000 shrubs per acre. This difficulty must be <br />addressed, and several options are available for Colowyo to consider and present to CDMG. <br />Sections that follow on 11 x 17 pages (2.2, 2.3, 2.4, and 2.5) provide a brief narrative of the results <br />from each individual unit evaluated by Cedar Creek. Also included for each unit is a map of the 2004 <br />sample points and acne-page summary (compendium) of all pertinent data collected within the unit and <br />revegetation specifications applicable to the unit'. Section 2.6 provides a data summary by area (East <br />Pit, West Pit, Section 16 and Fire Areas), while Section 2.7 provides a summary by year of revegetation <br />(1996, 1999, 2001, and 2002). Section 2.8 provides a discusson of the results from the sampling of the <br />two reference areas. A discussion of the success of seeding efforts by species and by year is presented <br />in Section 2,9. This will aid Colowyo's evaluation of current seed mixes. Raw data tables for cover, <br />production, woody plant density and seedling emergence are presented in Appendix A8. <br />• ~ Data and specifications are limited to that information collected ny or known to Cedar Creek as of 2004. Past data <br />and information could be added to these compendia at any time. Future data can be added as d becomes available. <br />Kennacac Energy Co. ~COrowyo ~rrne Page 6 Revegeradon Monroodrg -2004 <br />