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4.2 Diversity <br />Colowyo's proposed diversity standard for older reclamation is replacement of 2 perennial grasses <br />with between 3% and 50% relative cover (composition) and total perennial forb relative cover between <br />1% and 50% in the target reclamation. As indicated on Charts 5 and 6 and Table 8 evaluation of <br />diversity on the Phase III bond release area revealed 7 perennial grasses for both 2007 and 2008 <br />(between 3% and 50% relative cover) and perennial forb composition of 15.8% in 2007 and 22.1% in <br />2008. <br />In Summarv. Phase III areas addressed by this document strongly surpass the success <br />standard for diversity. <br />4.3 Woody Plant Density <br />According to TR -72, the woody plant density success criterion within pre -2008 reclamation at <br />Colowyo's operations is proposed to be 150 live plants per acre on approximately 3% (or more) of the <br />reclaimed surface. Tables 5 and 8 and Charts 7 and 8 display the results from the woody plant <br />populations enumerated in 2006 and 2008 on Phase III bond release areas. Based on evaluations to <br />date (16 shrub patches that account for 27.64 acres) shrub density has been determined to be an <br />average of 419.6 stems per acre. The acreage of these shrub patches is 3.6% of the total acreage <br />assessed for Phase III evaluations. In addition, Tables 6 and 7 displays the results from woody plant <br />density belt transects collected at each sample point in 2007 and 2008. Perusal of this table reveals that <br />an average of 27.9 woody plants per acre in 2007 and 42.3 woody plants per acre in 2008 were <br />encountered in the non - shrubland portion of the Phase III bond release area. <br />In Summary, Phase III areas addressed by this document pass the success standard for <br />woody plant density. <br />4.4 Summary <br />As indicated above, the Phase III bond release area identified in this document has achieved all the <br />success criteria agreed to in the TR -72 documentation. Cover and production in the reclaimed area is <br />significantly higher than these same variables from the native reference areas. Similarly, diversity and <br />woody plant density within the reclaimed area is significantly higher than the negotiated standards. <br />Therefore, Colowyo Coal Co. has met their requirement for reclamation of these lands and final liability <br />should be released. <br />Cedar Creek Associates, Inc. Page 32 Colowyo Mine - Bond Release Evaluation <br />Phase III Year 2 <br />