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• Colowyo Mine Suecific Plot Construction and Monitorne <br />All plots were constructed in the fall of 2000. Annual monitoring occurred in July of 2001, <br />2002, 2003 and 2004. Plots were sampled for vegetative cover by species, bare ground, rock <br />and litter. Apoint-intercept method was used to estimate cover. Within each plot at <br />Colowyo, five 100-m transects were randomly located. Cover data was collected every one <br />meter along each ttansects (500 cover points per plot). <br />In addition to cover sampling along these transects, CSU estimated shrub establishment and <br />shrub height in each demonstration plot within small quadrats along each transect. At <br />Colowyo, the quadrats were 0.25 mZ and were located every 20 m along the transect for a <br />total of 6.25 m2 per plot. Within each of these quadrats all shrubs were identified to species <br />and heights of individuals were recorded. <br />Monitoring results were provided each year. A final project report will be available by June <br />15, 2005. This date coincides with the funding deadline. The final report will detail the <br />shrub establishment results by treatment method and provide a detailed summary of <br />suggested reclamation methods for promoting shrub establishment. Final report results <br />should provide a framework for reclamation plan improvements that enhance native shrub <br />establishment, vegetation community diversity and wildlife habitat, thereby facilitating <br />reclamation and bond release success. <br />Each mine will evaluate the successful treatments from the plots at their mine. These <br />techniques may be incorporated into the reclamation plan through a revision to encourage <br />native shrub establishment and to create community diversity. <br />In the interest of determining long-term results, the DMG intends to continue monitoring the <br />plots at regular intervals. The operator will be responsible for proper maintenance of the <br />field trial sites, including maintenance of the elk fencing. If excessive erosion develops on <br />any of the plots or a noxious weed infestation is established within the plots the operator will <br />contact the Division and implement appropriate remedial treatments as warranted, according, <br />according to the rill/gully management and noxious weed management plans set forth in the <br />permit application. <br />Due to the slow growth characteristics of woody plant species, and the importance of <br />tracking long term effects of the treatments on woody plant establishment and plant <br />community development, it is planned that the plots will be maintained and periodically <br />monitored through the bond liability period. Results will be provided in the appropriate <br />annual report. <br />Bond Release Concerns Relative to Shrub Plots <br />For Phase 2 and Phase 3 bond release purposes, the field trial plots will be included in the <br />vegetation "sampling universe" associated with the bond release block that includes the field <br />trials. Due to the longer period of time associated with development of shrub dominated <br />stands, the occurrence of "bare areas" within the field trial plots will not disqualify a bond <br />release block or portion of the block from Phase 2 bond release. Presence of "bare areas" <br />• will be assessed by the Division for Phase 3 bond release, in accordance with the Bond <br />Release Guidelines. Remedial measures determined to be necessary by the Division and the <br />4.15-8 Revision Date: 12/12/05 <br />Revision No.: MR-77 <br />