2011-03-03_REVISION - C1981028 (3)

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2.5 SPECIES IDENTIFICATION AND VERIFICATION Species identification was accomplished in the field through the use of plant identification keys (Harrington, 1954, Weber, 1990; Whitson, 1987; Zimdahl, 1990, Stubbendieck, et al, 1995). In cases where plant identification was inconclusive in the field, voucher specimens were pressed for lab identification. 3.0 RESULTS 3.1 QUANTITATIVE EVALUATION: RECLAMATION AREAS 3.1.1 1998,1999, and 2000 RECLAMATION AREAS The 1998 reclamation areas sampled this year encompass 17.64 acres of reclamation in five areas within the Keenesburg Mine permit area. The areas include Reclamation Area 2, an area immediately west of the dugout, Reclamation Areas 7 and 10, two areas south and east of the central reclaimed mining area, and Reclamation Areas 15 and 16, located north and west of the former A pit and bordered on the west and south by undisturbed range. Vegetation cover transects and herbaceous production quadrats were distributed within the five areas based on size. The 1998 reclamation areas range from flat (Reclamation Areas 2, 7) to north and south facing (Reclamation Areas 15, 16, and 10, respectively). Reseeding or interseeding with the permanent seed mix took place during the autumn of 1998 within these areas with the goal of increasing perennial graminoid representation. • The 1999 reclamation areas encompass a total of 17.36 acres of reclamation in two distinct parcels within the Keenesburg Mine permit area. The areas are found on the south and east sides of the mine; Reclamation Area 5, a 2.63 acre parcel south of the topsand piles, and Reclamation Area 9, 14.73 acres of the former A Pit. Reclamation Area 5 is nearly flat with a gentle slope (<1 °) to the north and east. Reclamation Area 9 slopes slightly to the north. Reclamation and coincident revegetation within these areas took place in 1999. Replaced soils were sandy in texture. The 2000 reclamation areas sampled this year encompass 7.29 acres of reclamation in two distinct parcels within the Keenesburg Mine permit area. The areas include Reclamation Area 6, a former haul road along the southeast boundary of the mining area and Reclamation Area 19, another former haul road in the center of the reclaimed mining area. Vegetation cover transects and herbaceous production quadrats were distributed within the two areas based on size. The 2000 reclamation areas range from flat to gently sloping (<1 to 2°). Interseeding with the permanent seed mix took place in 2003 within these areas with the goal of increasing perennial graminoid representation. Specific sampling information for the 1998, 1999, and 2000 reclamation areas is contained in Tables 1, 2, and 3. --------__9__ Coors Energy Company Keenesburg Mine Page 5 2010 Phase III Vegetation Study