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`Jennifer Sekulski-Barton <br />M v Colowyo Coal Company <br />G if 5731 State Highway 13 <br />Meeker, CO 81641 <br />T: 970-824-1529 <br />Mr • <br />Division's Comment <br />C 2. Data from reclamation block WP001 was included in both BRB 79-95 and in <br />BRB 96-99. Each reclamation block should only be included in one bond <br />release block. If this parcel was split and sampled as two distinct units, please <br />define and designate which portion of the reclamation block belongs to which <br />bond release block. A logical way to clarify this would be to designate WP001 N <br />for the northern portion of the reclamation block and WP001 S for the southern <br />portion of the reclamation block. Please define the different portions of <br />reclamation block WP001 and clarify which subset of WP001 belongs to each <br />bond release block. [Based on the Maps included with each sampling report, it <br />appears the WP001 N is included in BRB 79-95 and WP001 S is included in BRB <br />96-99.] <br />Colowyo's Response: <br />The resubmitted vegetation reports incorporate this comment and clarify the <br />Division's concern. <br />Division's Comment <br />3. The woody plant density standard for BRB 79-95 is 150 stems per acre on 3% of <br />the reclaimed area. Table 5 in the 2007 vegetation report, titled "Colowyo-Woody <br />Plant Density-2006"; reports 410.9 stems/acre on 3% of BRB 79-95. It is unclear <br />from the data presented if BRB 79-95 met the woody plant density standard for <br />2007 (or if the data presented was for the 2006 sampling year). Please provide <br />the woody plant density data for BRB 79-95 for the 2007 sampling year. <br />Colowyo's Response: <br />Woody density sampling in 2007 occurred for each of the 45 co-located samples <br />collected as indicated on project mapping. Data from these 45 co-located samples <br />were largely for informational purposes to document that shrubs occur within <br />revegetated areas outside of shrub patches. A recount of shrub patches (initially <br />counted in 2006) was deemed unnecessary for a variety of reasons as detailed <br />below: <br />• First and foremost, the mature age class of shrub populations does not <br />change significantly from year to year, excepting as a result of catastrophic <br />event (e.g., fire, deleterious grazing practices, etc.), and no such <br />catastrophic events were noted as having occurred. This phenomenon has <br />been supported by extensive observation and repeated sampling efforts <br />