2008-03-13_REPORT - C1981019 ‎(2)‎

• Permit No: C1981019
• IBM Index Class Name: REPORT
• Doc Date: 3/13/2008
• Doc Name: 2007 AHR 2007 Revegetation Monitoring Report
• From: Colowyo Coal Company
• To: DRMS
• Annual Report Year: 2007
• Permit Index Doc Type: Hydrology Report
• Email Name: SB1
• Media Type: D
• Archive: No

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Rio Tinto Energy America
Colowyo Coal Company, L.P.
Colowyo Mine
2007 REVEGETATION MONITORING REPORT
REVEGETATION UNITS: INFORMATIONAL: REFERENCE AREAS:
EP036 WPOO8 SECTION 16 MOUNTAIN SHRUB
EP039 SAGEBRUSH
EP040 PROPOSED:
EP041 IMPROVED PASTURE
EP044 TARGET GRASSLAND
EP046 TARGET SAGE GROUSE
1.0 INTRODUCTION
Cedar Creek Associates, Inc. (Cedar Creek) was contracted in 2007 by Colowyo Coal Company
(Colowyo) to implement a vegetation monitoring program within selected revegetated units at the
Colowyo Mine. Monitoring was performed in the interest of ascertaining progress toward revegetation
success in general accordance with Rule 3.03, Release of Performance Bonds. The revegetated areas
evaluated in 2007 consisted of 7 total units ranging in size from 4.1 acres to 106.6 acres. At the time of
sampling, revegetation within evaluated units had experienced two, four or seven growing seasons
following completion of seeding. In addition, two reference areas (Mountain Shrub - 1980 and
Sagebrush - 1981) were sampled to provide cover and production comparison values to facilitate an
evaluation of progress toward success for the reclaimed units. Mountain Shrub reference area data are
weighted 55% whereas the Sagebrush reference area data are weighted 45% for this comparison on
existing operations at Colowyo. Cover sampling transects were also implemented in Section 16
revegetated areas and three proposed Reference Areas for informational purposes and for benchmark
comparisons. Section 16 data were collected because there is a possibility that the area would be re-
disturbed for South Taylor operations, and the information gathered could aid in developing improved
revegetation procedures. The proposed reference areas were sampled for use as potential future
benchmarks and / or development of new revegetation standards. Finally, woody plant density sampling
was conducted on 18 permanent i/10"' acre shrub plots scattered across shrub patches within the
reclamation to begin an evaluation of shrub population dynamics, specifically a determination of
Rio Tinto Energy America/Colowyo Mine Page 1 Revegetation Monitoring - 2007