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i ~. SUMMARY Monitoring of the 1985, 1986, and 1987 Reclamation Areas and the Osgood Sand Reference Area in 1996 showed that the 1986 and 1987 reclaimed areas met the revegetation success standard for vegetation cover. A review of total vegetation cover data for the 1985 Reclamation Area for the 1994-1996 period showed that the total cover revegetation success criterion was met for two of the three years. A review of species composition data showing a developmental trend in the 1985 Reclamation Area provides a plausible explanation for the lower 1996 vegetation cover. An evaluation of species composition through relative cover revealed that the 1985 Reclamation Area met all of the requirements of the species composition success standard. The 1986 and 1987 Reclamation Areas did not meet all of the criteria, lacking perennial species and/or numbers of warm season grasses. Interestingly, the Osgood Sand Reference Area was not able to meet the species composition success standard requirements for any of the sampled years (1994-1996). Based on quantitative sampling at the 1985, 1986, and 1487 Reclamation Areas of the Keenesburg Mine, these areas qualify for Phase II bond release under the requirements established by Rules 3.03 and 4.15.8 and the terms and requtrements of the mining and reclamation permit. The quantitative vegetative cover data indicates that the operator has established a diverse, effective, and permanent vegetative cover of the same seasonal variety as the original vegetation. The revegetated area is capable of self- regeneradon and plant succession. The data shows development of a stable, self- sustaining vegetation community, with seasonality and diversity sufficient to demonstrate successful reestablishment of vegetation on the 1985, 1986, and 1987 Reclamation Areas for the purposes of Phase II bond release. -15-