Laserfiche WebLink
Field sampling for the directly measurable variable of ground cover was systematically conducted <br />from August 14 through 19, 2006. The growing season prior to and during the sampling period could be <br />qualitatively characterized as slightly below average with regard to precipitation, and sampling occurred <br />immediately following the peak of growth in July. Field efforts in 2006 were conducted by Cedar Creek's <br />Plant Ecologist, Mr. Erik M. Mohr, and Range Ecologist, Mr. Jesse H. Dillon. <br />The remainder of this document is divided into logical sections (Methods, Results, and Conclusions), <br />and raw data tables are presented in Appendix A. It should be noted that the acreages presented in this <br />document were determined by Colowyo's engineering and /or permitting department. <br />Precipitation data presented on Table P and Chart P is the average of two weather stations at the <br />Colowyo Mine (SCN16 and WSTPT). Based on data from these stations, precipitation in the project area <br />for the 2005/2006 growing season (from September '05 to August '06) was slightly below the six -year <br />average. However, this six -year average is potentially below the actual long -term average for the mine <br />given that 2001 through 2004 are recognized as below- average precipitation years region wide (drought <br />years). For example, the nearest official weather station (Craig 4SW) received only 44% of its average <br />precipitation in 2001, 61% in 2002, 86% in 2003, and 83% in 2004. Given this analysis the long -term <br />average precipitation at the Colowyo mine is most likely in the 19 inch range as opposed to the recent <br />four -year average of 16.5 inches. Therefore, precipitation for the growing season from September 2005 <br />to August 2006 (16.03 inches) was likely three inches below average as opposed to slightly below <br />average. The growing season precipitation was well below average with April, May, and June exhibiting <br />1.33, 0.64, and 0.25 inches, respectively. The effect of this below average growing season is depressed <br />cover values. <br />CEDAR INC. Page 2 Colowyo Coal Co. Phase 11 Evaluation <br />