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West Elk Mine Reclaimed Areas Species Composition (2011) <br />Total Perennial Species* <br />( >3% rel. cover) <br />Cool Season Grasses* <br />Cool Season Forbs* <br />Relative Importance <br />(3 % <x <40 %) <br />* Numbers reflect only those species meeting the relative importance percentage limitation <br />The reclaimed areas far exceeded the requirements for species composition, thereby <br />meeting the final revegetation success criterion and supporting the post - mining land use. <br />From the summary information above, the reclaimed areas sampled exceeded the final <br />revegetation success criteria values for total vegetation cover and species composition in <br />2011, thereby demonstrating that the permittee has established a diverse, effective, and <br />permanent vegetative cover of the same seasonal variety as the original vegetation. <br />From the sampling data it was concluded that the revegetated areas are capable of self - <br />regeneration and plant succession. The data shows development of a stable, self - <br />sustaining vegetation community, with seasonality and diversity sufficient to demonstrate <br />successful reestablishment of vegetation on the reclaimed area. <br />Achievement of Natural Surface Runoff Levels <br />In order to satisfy one of the CDRMS requirements for Phase II bond release, reclaimed <br />areas must be shown to contribute equal or less sediment to the receiving waters <br />downstream. A sedimentology evaluation of the reclaimed areas and adjacent <br />undisturbed areas to assess the projected sediment yield was undertaken using the <br />Universal Soil Loss Equation. <br />The projected mean sediment yield from the reclaimed areas is 3.03 tons /acre /year (with <br />individual reclaimed areas ranging from 0.05 to 15.31 tons /acre /year). Projected sediment <br />yield from adjacent undisturbed areas is 13.68 tons /acre /year (individual areas ranging <br />from 0.19 to 45.19 tons /acre /year). <br />The results of the USLE calculations show that the reclaimed areas are projected to <br />produce less sediment than the adjacent undisturbed areas. Based on the results of the <br />sedimentology evaluation, the reclaimed areas at the West Elk Mine qualify for Phase II <br />bond release at this time. <br />Mountain Coal Company, LLC West Elk Mine <br />2011 Phase II Bond Release <br />Success 2011 Reclaimed Areas <br />Standard <br />3 9 <br />2 5 <br />1 4 <br />All Species All Species <br />Page 9 <br />