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• <br />Rio Tinto Energy America - Colowyo Mining Company <br />Proposed Collom Coal Mine Project <br />Baseline Vegetation Survey <br />1.0 INTRODUCTION <br />1.1 General <br />Cedar Creek Associates, Inc. (Cedar Creek) was contracted in 2005 to evaluate the baseline <br />vegetation resources (plant communities) within and adjacent to the potential disturbance footprint <br />(Vegetation Study Area) of the proposed Collom Coal Mine Project in accordance with Rule 2.04.10 (as <br />well as Rules 4.15.7, 4.15.8, and 4.15.11) of the Colorado Revised Rules and Regulations (9/14/05). The <br />Collom Project is located approximately two miles west of the current Colowyo Mine on lands owned / <br />4b controlled by Colowyo Coal Co. (Colowyo) and presently managed for domestic livestock ranching and <br />wildlife habitat (predominantly big game and sage grouse). Preliminary field reconnaissance and initial <br />vegetation mapping indicated that six major plant communities (Aspen, Bottomland, Grassland, Juniper <br />Scrub, Mountain Shrub and Sagebrush) occur within this vegetation study area (13,605 acres). Site- <br />specific surveys verified this finding, however, occasional modification to initial delineated boundaries <br />were necessary (see Map V1 for final mapped communities). A few minor vegetation communities / land <br />use types were also observed within this study area and include: improved pasture, cropland, disturbed <br />areas and wetland. <br />In accordance with Rule 2.04.10 as well as 4.15 subsections 7 - 11 of the Colorado Revised Rules, <br />and pursuant to general agreements reached during conversations with Ms. Sandy Brown, Ms. Janet <br />Binns, and Mr. Dan Mathews of the Colorado Division of Minerals and Geology (Spring, 2005), vegetation <br />studies at the Collom project were initiated. Field sampling for the directly measurable variables of <br />ground cover, production and woody plant density, as well as an indirect determination of species <br />composition (diversity), was systematically conducted within the six major communities occupying the <br />proposed disturbance area as well as within eight newly established reference areas. One reference area <br />was established for each of these six types, and two additional reference areas (Improved Pasture and <br />Sage Grouse Target Habitat) were established to facilitate future reclamation planning, revegetation <br />An options, and bond release strategies. <br />CIEDAIR =ZKASSllAMS, INC. Page 1 2005 Collom Vegetation Survey