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• <br />• <br />aerial photographs taken by WFC in October 2008 and using our experience in working on the <br />proposed mine permit area for a period of nearly 13 months <br />VEGETATION SAMPLING <br />The specific sampling methodologies used in this evaluation are those found in the Division's <br />"Guidelines with Land Use and Vegetation Requirements of the Colorado Mined Land <br />Reclamation Board for Coal Mining" issued in June of 1988, the undated "Guideline for the <br />Management of Noxious Weeds on Coal Mine Permit Areas, and the "Guidelines Regarding <br />Selected Coal Mine Bond Release Issues" issued April 18, 1995. In addition, the existing <br />regulation formally adopted September 14, 2005 by the Colorado Division of Minerals and <br />Geology (DMG) now the Colorado Division of Reclamation, Mining and Safety (DRMS) as <br />Section 4.15.11 and corresponding documents were used with respect to sample adequacy <br />calculations and statistical comparisons. <br />A detailed delineation of the vegetation types found within the proposed NHN Mine Permit Area <br />is shown on Map 2.04.10 -1, Permit Area Vegetation Map. This map was prepared at a map scale <br />of one inch equals 200 feet and has five -foot contour intervals. This map shows the extent of all <br />vegetation types to be affected within the proposed mine facilities area, as well as the location of <br />each vegetation transect location used to evaluate plant cover, herbaceous production as well as <br />shrub density. The vegetation boundaries of all lands located within one -half mile of the <br />proposed NHN Mine permit area are shown on Map 2.04.10 -2, Adjacent Area Vegetation Map. <br />Prior to commencing the field sampling efforts and during the preparation of this baseline <br />vegetation monitoring report, the vegetation sampling requirements found in Section 4.15.11 of <br />the DRMS regulations were carefully reviewed and discussed with Ms. Sandy Brown and Mr. <br />Dan Mathews of the DRMS regarding the proposed sampling methods and data analysis methods <br />to be used. Agreement on the sampling methodology used in this evaluation as well as a proper <br />understanding of the recently enacted regulatory amendments was obtained from the DRMS <br />prior to initiating field sampling. In this evaluation, the vegetation parameters of production, <br />plant cover, species diversity and shrub density were sampled. It is anticipated that these <br />vegetation sampling efforts will be ultimately useful in the evaluation of the successfulness of <br />revegetation efforts with respect to plant cover, herbaceous forage production, species diversity, <br />and shrub density. In addition, while we were conducting the actual field sampling effort, Ms. <br />Marcia Talvitie of the DRMS, accompanied by Mr. Ross Gubka, was shown the site and the <br />vegetation sampling efforts were discussed with her at that time. <br />Transect Locations. To ensure that all of the areas within each corresponding pre - disturbance <br />vegetation area or reference area being evaluated had an equal chance of being sampled, each <br />vegetation type, consisting often of multiple polygons, was treated as a single sample unit and a <br />totally randomized sampling effort was implemented. Utilizing the prepared vegetation maps, the <br />• Section 2.04.10 Page 2 April 2011 <br />