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RULE 4 PERFORMANCE STANDARDS <br />Colowyo Mine Specific Plot Construction and Monitoring <br />All plots were constructed in the fall of 2000. Annual monitoring occurred in July of 2001, 2002, 2003 <br />and 2004. Plots were sampled for vegetative cover by species, bare ground, rock and litter. A point - <br />intercept method was used to estimate cover. Within each plot at Colowyo, five 100 -m transects were <br />randomly located. Cover data was collected every one meter along each transects (500 cover points per <br />plot). <br />In addition to cover sampling along these transects, CSU estimated shrub establishment and shrub height <br />in each demonstration plot within small quadrats along each transect. At Colowyo, the quadrats were <br />0.25 m and were located every 20 in along the transect for a total of 6.25 m per plot. Within each of <br />these quadrats all shrubs were identified to species and heights of individuals were recorded. <br />Monitoring results were provided each year. A final project report will be available by June 15, 2005. <br />This date coincides with the funding deadline. The final report will detail the shrub establishment results <br />by treatment method and provide a detailed summary of suggested reclamation methods for promoting <br />shrub establishment. Final report results should provide a framework for reclamation plan improvements <br />that enhance native shrub establishment, vegetation community diversity and wildlife habitat, thereby <br />facilitating reclamation and bond release success. <br />Each mine will evaluate the successful treatments from the plots at their mine. These techniques may be <br />incorporated into the reclamation plan through a revision to encourage native shrub establishment and to <br />create community diversity. <br />In the interest of determining long -term results, the DRMS intends to continue monitoring the plots at <br />regular intervals. The operator will be responsible for proper maintenance of the field trial sites, <br />including maintenance of the elk fencing. If excessive erosion develops on any of the plots or a noxious <br />weed infestation is established within the plots the operator will contact the Division and implement <br />appropriate remedial treatments as warranted, according, according to the rill/gully management and <br />noxious weed management plans set forth in the permit application. <br />Due to the slow growth characteristics of woody plant species, and the importance of tracking long term <br />effects of the treatments on woody plant establishment and plant community development, it is planned <br />that the plots will be maintained and periodically monitored through the bond liability period. Results <br />will be provided in the appropriate annual report. <br />Bond Release Concerns Relative to Shrub Plots <br />For Phase 2 and Phase 3 bond release purposes, the field trial plots will be included in the vegetation <br />"sampling universe" associated with the bond release block that includes the field trials. Due to the <br />longer period of time associated with development of shrub dominated stands, the occurrence of "bare <br />areas" within the field trial plots will not disqualify a bond release block or portion of the block from <br />Phase 2 bond release. Presence of "bare areas" will be assessed by the Division for Phase 3 bond release, <br />in accordance with the Bond Release Guidelines. Remedial measures determined to be necessary by the <br />Division and the operator due to stand failure within the field trial areas will not reinitiate the bond <br />liability period. <br />In 2010, SL -05, a Phase III bond release application, was submitted by Colowyo. As a result of the onsite <br />inspection by the Division, a minor revision, MR -103 was created to establish these shrub plots and their <br />associated fencing as permanent, post- mining features. <br />In 2006 under MR -83, Colowyo initiated a buried topsoil protocol to try an increase establishment of <br />shrubs on the mine -site. Two, two acres test plots were topsoiled and then covered with six inches of <br />Rule 4 Performance Standards 4.15 -6 Revision Date: 10/27/10 <br />10 old paw Revision No.: MR -103 <br />