2010-05-17_REPORT - C1980006

• Permit No: C1980006
• IBM Index Class Name: REPORT
• Doc Date: 5/17/2010
• Doc Name: 2009 Revegetation Monitoring Report
• From: Kerr Coal Company
• To: DRMS
• Permit Index Doc Type: Reveg Monitoring Report
• Email Name: RDZ
• Media Type: D
• Archive: No

data. 'I 'hese data are referenced as the ESCO 1999 data. The revegetation monitoring data
collected by IIviE Environmental Consultants in 2005 on these same four areas, and found in the
previously submitted report entitled "Revegetation Monitoring Report for Reclaimed Areas
Sampled in 2005 on the Kerr Coal Company's Marr Mine" was also compared to the data
collected in 2009. These data are referred to as the MM 2005 data. These data are included only
to document historic trends and not in any way to satisfy any of the required bond release
vegetation sampling requirements.
Statistical Analysis of Data. As required by the Division's regulations, it is not necessary to
achieve sample adequacy for reclamation monitoring corresponding to the Phase Ili bond release
sampling efforts provided that the success standard has been achieved, the reverse null
hypothesis is used and a minimum number of transects have been sampled. if sample adequacy
is achieved, a minimum of a least 15 transects for cover and 30 transects for production and
shrub density must still be collected. Therefore, all of the data collected in this evaluation were
analyzed for sample adequacy in order to determine whether the Division's requirements had
been satisfied. The sample adequacy formula contained in the DRMS regulations was used,
wherein a precision of 0.10 was used for cover and production and 0.15 for shrub density.
On the reclaimed and reference areas sampled, all of the field data were analyzed in terms of
"total plant cover" to determine whether sample adequacy was achieved prior to leaving the site
being sampled. On the reclamation blocks and reference areas sampled for production and shrub
density, a minimum of 30 samples were collected and the data analyzed before the reverse null
approach was applied to determine revegetation success.
According to written guidance received from Mr. Dan Mathews and Ms. Sandy Brown of the
DRMS, if sample adequacy is achieved on both the reclaimed and reference areas, and the
reclamation sample mean exceeds 90% of the standard, no statistical testing is required and
success is demonstrated by direct comparison. If sample adequacy is not achieved for one or
both of the reclaimed or reference areas sampled, but the reclaimed sample mean exceeds 90%
of the approved standard, the reverse null hypothesis can be used.
Results
Field Sampling Dates. Most of the data utilized in this evaluation were collected between July
21-25, 2009. Subsequent evaluation of the data revealed that some additional cover transects
were needed, so the sampling was finished on August 29, 2009. At the time of the field
sampling, all of the plants were actively growing and it is believed that the sampling was
performed close to the period of optimum plant growth, when the plant cover and production
were near their peak. A total of 75 plant species were identified in the 67 cover transects and 60
shrub density transects sampled in this evaluation. A list of all of the 93 plant species
encountered in the field sampling efforts in this evaluation is presented in Table 1, Kerr Mine
Plant Species List.
Sample Adequacy. A statistical summary and analysis of the data collected to characterize the