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5 <br />has', www.bio-geo.com <br />x- <br />1.0 PURPOSE <br />Western Fuels-Colorado, LLC (WFC) seeks Phase 3 bond release on portions of the New <br />Horizon Mine (NH-2) reclaimed coal mine lands near Nucla, Colorado (see Figure 1), under the <br />terms of a permit issued by the State of Colorado, Division of Reclamation, Mining and Safety <br />(CDRMS). The reclaimed lands to be measured in 2009 consist of lands with a designated <br />post-mine land use of Irrigated Pasture. For Phase 3 bond release, WFC must demonstrate to <br />CDMRS that vegetation on the reclaimed lands meets standards for cover and production in at <br />least two of the last four years of the liability period beginning no earlier than year 9 after <br />reclamation activities are completed. <br />In June 2008, 1310-Logic, Inc. (BIO-Logic) measured cover and production on 21.5 acres of NH- <br />2 reclaimed lands and nearby reference area, in support of first year Phase 3 bond release. <br />2009 will be the second year of Phase 3 vegetation measurements at this same location. In <br />addition, 1310-Logic will perform the first year of Phase 3 vegetation measurements on an <br />additional 21.3 acres of Phase 3-eligible lands (Figure 1). This plan presents the sampling and <br />analysis methods that will be used to measure vegetation cover and production for purposes of <br />demonstrating adequacy of revegetation for Phase 3 bond release. <br />2.0 PROCEDURES <br />2.1 Study Areas <br />Areas to be studied were determined and mapped by WFC. Study sites are shown on the <br />attached map figures (Appendix A), and included the following areas: <br />1. Irrigated Pasture Reference Area (7.2 acres). This area adjacent to (east of) the New <br />Horizon Mine is owned by WFC and leased to an operator who irrigates the property and <br />grazes horses on the property in winter (Figure 2). The reference area was first established <br />and vegetation measured in 2007. <br />2. Irrigated Pasture Reclaimed, Phase 3 Second Year (21.5 acres). This area is in its second <br />year of eligibility for Phase 3 vegetation measurement, and vegetation cover and production <br />were measured in this area in 2008 (Figure 3). <br />3. Irrigated Pasture Reclaimed, Phase 3 First Year (21.3 acres). This area is in its first year of <br />eligibility for Phase 3 vegetation measurement, and is adjacent to (west of) the Phase 3 <br />Second Year area (Figure 3). <br />3