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2009 were conducted by or under the direct supervision of Cedar Creek's Senior Plant Ecologist, Mr. Erik <br />M. Mohr, and Range Ecologist, Mr. Jesse H. Dillon. <br />The methodology utilized for these investigations is presented in Section 2.0 of this document, <br />whereas, Section 3.0 provides results and discussion. Raw data tables are presented in Appendix A. <br />Acreages in this document are reasonably accurate as determined by Cedar Creek and are based on <br />mapping data provided by Colowyo. <br />Precipitation data presented on Table P and Chart P represents the average of two weather stations <br />at the Colowyo Mine (SCN16 and WSTPT from 2001-2008 and SCN16 and Meteorological Station in <br />2009). The West Pit station (WSTPT) was moved to South Taylor in 2009, therefore Meteorological <br />Station, which is located near the Colowyo offices, was substituted for the analysis of precipitation at the <br />mine. This site is located at approximately the same elevation as the old West Pit Station. Precipitation <br />in the project area was determined to be slightly below average when compared with the nine-year <br />average for the 2008 / 2009 growing season (September 2008 through August 2009). <br />This nine-year average is potentially below the actual long-term average for the mine since 2001 <br />through 2004 are recognized as being drought years with below-average precipitation region wide. The <br />nearest official weather station (Craig 4SW) received only 44% of its average precipitation in 2001, 61% <br />in 2002, 86% in 2003, and 83% in 2004. These data indicate the long-term average precipitation at the <br />Colowyo mine is most likely in the 19-inch range as opposed to the recent nine-year average of 17.5 <br />inches. Therefore, precipitation during the 2008 / 2009 growing season (16.6 inches) was most likely <br />below average compared to the presumed long-term average as opposed to slightly below average based <br />on the reported data. Although precipitation leading into the growing season was above average with <br />March, April, May, and June exhibiting 129% of average precipitation over that period. July had just <br />32% of average precipitation proceeding sampling, but should not have had a significant impact on plant <br />growth due to the abundant available moisture from the previous months, thus leaving plant growth and <br />vigor close to average conditions. <br />CEDAR CREEK ASSOCIATES, Inc. Page 2 Colowyo Coal Company <br />2009 Phase III Bond Release Evaluation