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Reclamation units are typically combined to provide logical parcels for bond release evaluation. For the <br />purpose of ascertaining progress towards bond release, the number of shrub-qualified acres in each unit <br />is presented on each corresponding compendium. <br />Considering the 2009 monitoring effort as a whole, observed revegetation at the Colowyo mine is <br />generally in good condition and well onto the path of successional advancement. A few units exhibit <br />elevated levels of annual grasses or early seral weeds and may or may not need remediation (herbicide <br />treatment) depending on future precipitation patterns that should favor planted perennials. Related to <br />this, 2009 was a prolific year for noxious weeds, particularly Canada thistle, throughout Colorado and <br />Colowyo's reclamation is no exception. Populations of noxious weeds continue to be sporadically <br />observed within monitored units, however, Cedar Creek routinely observes evidence of weed control <br />efforts by Colowyo's weed control contractor. In this regard, one observation of note in 2009 was "below <br />normal" coverage by the weed control contractor. This may have been due to the "bad thistle year", or it <br />may have been due to other causes. The efficacy of future weed control efforts should be a "watch item" <br />for Colowyo management for the next couple of seasons. As revegetated communities continue to <br />mature, the majority should meet both land use goals and bond release success criteria including woody <br />plant density, ground cover, diversity, and current annual production. <br />The following two sections (Sections 2.2 and 2.3) provide a brief narrative of the results from each <br />individual unit evaluated by Cedar Creek. Also included for each unit is a map of the 2009 sample points <br />and a one-page summary (compendium) of all pertinent data collected within the unit and revegetation <br />specifications applicable to the unit*. Section 2.4 provides a discussion of the results from the sampling <br />of the two reference areas. A seeding success analysis is presented in Section 2.5 and a discussion of <br />the results from sampling of the CSU shrub plots in East Pit is presented in Section 2.6. Raw data tables <br />for cover, production, and woody plant density are presented in Appendix AB. <br />The CSU shrub plots were set on a biennial sampling regime starting in 2009, therefore, only half of <br />the plots were sampled during this monitoring effort and the remaining plots will be sampled in the 2010 <br />monitoring effort. Data collected this year is presented on raw tables and summary tables and charts. <br />However, a complete analysis of the data from both years will be presented in the 2010 monitoring <br />report to provide a status update on the plots. This sampling regime will continue until information <br />gathered from the plots is no longer deemed useful. <br />* Data and specifications are limited to that information collected by, or known to, Cedar Creek as of 2009. Past <br />data and information could be added to these compendia at any time. Future data can be added as it becomes <br />available. <br />CEDAR CREEK ASSOCIATES, Inc. Page 6 Colowyo Mine <br />2009 Revegetation Monitoring Report