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INTRODUCTION At the request of Energy Fuels Coal, Inc. (EFCI) an evaluation was made of the revegetation efforts at the Raton Creek Mine located near Trinidad, Colorado. These reclaimed areas were sampled in only their second and third growing seasons, to determine the successfulness of the initial revegetation efforts. Two types of reclamation are found at this location. Portions of the site were topsoiled with topsoil which was salvaged during mining operations and portions of the reclamation were non-topsoiled, being disturbed before there were any regulatory requirements for topsoil to be salvaged. Previous investigations commissioned by the Operator suggested that the regraded spoil was of sufficient quality to support the plant cover required by the current regulations. One of the primary objectives of this evaluation, was to compare the vegetation found on the topsoiled reclaimed areas with that found on the non-topsoiled reclaimed areas. The location of the various reclaimed sites was shown on the map entitled "1997 Annual Reclamation Map" which was supplied by the Operator. A secondary objective of this evaluation was to make observations on the successfulness of revegetation efforts on two SAE areas at this mine site. These sites corresponded to the old topsoil stockpile located in the southwest corner of the reclaimed area and a second SAE site was located on the hillside near the clear water diversion ditch, in the northwest portion of the reclaimed area. METHODOLOGY Since this sampling effort was performed to satisfy interim revegetation monitoring requirements, there was no effort to sample these areas to the required level of sample adequacy required for final bond release sampling. Based on discussions with Ms. Janete Binns, of the Colorado Division of Minerals and Geology (DMG), it was recommended that a total of 15 transects be sampled in each reclaimed area and this was the sampling scheme utilized at this location. The sampling schemed used in this evaluation is consistent with that found in the DMG's Vegetation and Bond Release Guidelines. Sample plot locations were determined using a Trimble XRS Global Positioning System. Using the map supplied by the Operator, the minimum and maximum state plane coordinates for this site were determined and then based upon these coordinates, sample plot locations were determined by using random numbers, generated from ahand-held calculator. A total of 15 sample plots were located in both the topsoiled and non-topsoiled reclaimed areas. The sample plot locations were marked in the field with appropriately numbered plastic wire pin flags. The real time accuracy of the gird system generated by the GPS unit to establish the sample plot locations was plus or minus 18 inches. At each sample plot location along the 50 meter transect tape was laid out using the azimuth bearing generated by random numbers from the calculator. Along each transect tape cover was sampled using an inclined metal ten-point frame. Prior to going to the field a total of ten random numbers between 0 and 50 were recorded on the field data sheets. Each random interval was sampled with ten points. The values obtained from the ten random intervals were then averaged into a single datum which was used for statistical comparisons. 2