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The success standard for ground cover is the normal 90% of approved reference area values. <br />Although not sampled this year, the standard for woody plant density is a value of 800 shrubs per acre <br />and production is also the standard 90% of approved reference area values. <br />1.3 Precipitation <br />Table P and the associated charts on the following page exhibit the seasonal precipitation that has <br />occurred near the mine in Palisade, Colorado over the past 10 years. The overall average annual <br />precipitation *for the past 98 years is 10.12 inches while the monthly average ranges from 0.55 inches in <br />January to 1.24 inches in September. Average winter precipitation is 1.69 inches while spring, summer, <br />and fall averages 2.81, 2.28, and 3.20 inches, respectively (see associated charts). Review of the <br />precipitation charts further reveals that seasonal precipitation in the past ten years has been variable <br />ranging from 0.0 inches to 3.58 inches. <br />Perusal of the last chart indicates that precipitation for the fall, winter, and spring prior to sampling <br />can be considered slightly below average (97% of normal). The winter and spring seasons both received <br />above average precipitation (179% and 106% of normal levels, respectively). Fall and summer <br />precipitation, however, was below average, with 45% and 61% of normal levels, respectively. Spring <br />precipitation is essential for the health and vigor of cool season plants, while adequate summer <br />precipitation provides development potential for warm season species later in the growing season. The <br />above average winter and spring precipitation levels for the 2007/2008 growing season contributed to <br />abundant cheatgrass populations on the mine. This invasive annual grass, ubiquitous throughout the <br />West, germinates in both the fall and spring and rapidly exploits available soil moisture and nutrients <br />early on in the growing season. Cheatgrass develops rapidly, giving it a competitive advantage over <br />native, perennial plants. Collected data in 2008 are therefore reflective of slightly below average vigor <br />and production for warm-season vegetation in addition to abundant cheatgrass cover on both the <br />reclamation and reference areas. <br />CEDAR CREEK ASSOCIATES, Inc. Page 4 Snowcap Coal Co. - 2008 <br />Revegetation Evaluation