2010-02-19_REVISION - C1981028 (4)

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4.1 VEGETATION COVER The 1998, 1999, and 2000 reclamation areas exceeded the final revegetation success criterion value (35.69%) for total vegetation cover. The 1998, 1999, and 2000 reclamation areas had a mean total vegetation cover of 60.96 percent. The first year of quantitative vegetation cover sampling for bond and liability release reveals that the requirement for total vegetation cover has been met. 4.2 HERBACEOUS PRODUCTION The 1998, 1999, and 2000 reclamation areas exceeded the final revegetation success criterion value (135.07 g/m2) for total herbaceous production. The 1998, 1999, and 2000 reclamation areas had a mean total herbaceous production of 261.13 g/m2. The first year of quantitative sampling for bond and liability release reveals that the requirement for total herbaceous production has been met. 4.3 SPECIES COMPOSITION The species composition standard requires that there be at least four perennial species, of which three are warm season grasses and one a cool season grass. No one component of the above four species should comprise greater than 40% relative importance nor less than 3% relative importance. Relative importance will be measured by calculating relative cover of the revegetation species. Vegetation species which may be used in the calculation of species composition may be any plant species not defined as a noxious or prohibited plant species, and may be native or introduced. The 1998, 1999, and 2000 reclamation areas satisfied the final species composition revegetation criteria. The 1998, 1999, and 2000 reclamation areas had six qualifying perennial species; four qualifying warm season graminoids, one qualifying cool season graminoid, and one perennial forb. This year of quantitative sampling for bond and liability release reveals that the reclamation areas have exceeded the final revegetation success requirements for species composition. 5.0 SUMMARY The quantitative vegetative cover, herbaceous production, and species composition data indicate that the permittee has established a diverse, effective, and permanent vegetative cover of the same seasonal variety as the original vegetation. The revegetated area is capable of self-regeneration and plant succession. The data shows development of a stable, self- sustaining vegetation community, with seasonality and diversity sufficient to demonstrate successful reestablishment of vegetation on the reclaimed area. Coors Energy Company Keenesburg Mine V V v v v v v v v v v vvvvvvv Page 12 Areas 2, 5, 6, 7, 9, 10, 15, 16, and 19 Vegetation 5tudy (2009)