Laserfiche WebLink
4.2 Diversity <br />Colowyo's proposed diversity standard for older reclamation is replacement of two perennial grasses <br />with between 3% and 50% relative cover (composition) and total forb relative cover excluding noxious <br />weeds between 1% and 50% in each target reclamation unit. As indicated on Charts 5 and 6 and Table <br />8 evaluation of diversity on the Phase III bond release area revealed seven perennial grasses (between <br />3% and 50% relative cover) and forb composition of 21.8% in 2008 and four perennial grasses (between <br />3% and 50% relative cover) and forb composition of 25.8% in 2009. <br />In Summary, 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-2010 reclamation at <br />Colowyo's operations is 150 live stems per acre on approximately 3% (or more) of the reclaimed surface. <br />Tables 5 and 8 and Charts 7 and 8 display the results from the woody plant populations enumerated in <br />2006 and 2009 on Phase III bond release areas. Shrub density on eight patches within the Phase III <br />area has been determined to be an average of 1,385 stems per acre. The acreage of these shrub <br />patches is 5.5% of the total acreage assessed for Year 2 - Phase III evaluations. In addition, Tables 6 <br />and 7 display the results from woody plant density belt transects collected at each sample point in 2008 <br />and 2009. Perusal of these tables reveals that an average of 154.2 woody plants per acre was <br />encountered in 2008 and 37.6 woody plants per acre were encountered in 2009. <br />In Summary, Phase III areas addressed by this document pass the success standard for <br />woody plant density. <br />CEDAR CREEK ASSOCIATES, Inc. Page 25 Colowyo Coal Company <br />2009 Phase III Bond Release Evaluation