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9 INTRODUCTION <br />Quantitative sampling of reclaimed areas at Seneca Coal Company's (SCC) Seneca II Mine was <br />undertaken in July and August 2009 by ESCO Associates to facilitate SCC's continuing <br />monitoring of the progress of these areas in relation to revegetation performance standards. <br />2009 data collection was pursued toward the end of providing datasets adequate to allow formal <br />testing of Revegetation Success and for use in eventual application for Phase 2 (II) Bond <br />Release. Methods, sample areas, and sample sizes were those specified in a study plan <br />submitted by SCC to Colorado Division of Minerals and Geology (ESCO 2005b). <br />METHODS <br />Phase 2 (11) Area Sampling <br />All eligible Seneca II reclaimed lands not previously included in BRB 1, BRB 2 and BRB 3 were <br />sampled for cover to provide information that would be of use were an application for Phase 2 (II) <br />bond release for those lands. These areas included the entire BRB 4-rev including areas <br />reseeded in 2006, portions of BRB 3 and reclaimed haul roads seeded in 2005. Sample areas <br />and sample locations are shown on Map 1, "Vegetation Monitoring Locations - Phase 2 Bond <br />Release Block." <br />0 <br />Reference Area Sampling <br />The Mountain Brush and Sagebrush/Snowberry reference areas were sampled to provide data <br />for comparison with reclaimed area data as per provisions of the permit. Reference Area <br />sampling locations are shown on Map 2, "Vegetation Monitoring Locations - Mountain Brush and <br />Sagebrush/Snowberry Reference Areas". <br /> <br />1