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• ANNUAL VEGETATION MONITORING <br />An annual vegetation survey was conducted at the Keenesburg Mine in the middle <br />of November, 1993. The amount of cover, production and vegetation diversity <br />was determined on both the reclamation and reference areas and compared. <br />The vegetation sample points for the reclamation area were determined by a <br />100' x 100• grid pattern. Fifteen samples were randomly chosen from the <br />five-hundred and thirty possible points. The points were located on the <br />reclamation and staked. <br />The vegetation sample points for the reference area were determined by a 50' x <br />50' grid pattern as they were in 1992. Their were ten points randomly <br />selected, located and staked. <br />The sample plot size used in '93 was one meter by one meter. Cover was <br />estimated by the arial extent of the vegetation. Litter was not included in <br />the cover estimate; however, there is a large litter amount on the reclamation <br />areas which provides excellent protection from soil erosion. <br />The cover percent was estimated for each plant species then clipped separately <br />• to determine production. Plants were clipped at ground level and old growth <br />removed before bagging. After two weeks of air drying, the plant species were <br />weighed to determine production. <br />From the data collected, the reclamation's vegetation can be compared to the <br />reference area's by diversity, covet and production. Due to the time of year <br />sampling was completed, no statistical conclusions can be drawn from the <br />collected data. November sampling is too late in the growing season tc <br />accurately determine plant diversity or estimate cover. However, an overall <br />assessment can be made of the reclamation and reference area's condition. The <br />raw date again shows the reclamation Brea producing more vegetation and <br />covering more ground area than the reference site. We are confident the <br />reclaimed mining areas will meet the requirements for bond release; however, <br />it is understood that all the statistical proof must be supplied to the <br />Division. <br />• <br />PAGE 19 <br />