2011-10-03_REVISION - C1980007 (2)

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Agropyron dasystachyum providing 2.20 and 4.14 percent mean and relative cover, Hedysarum boreale (Utah sweetvetch) contributing 2.47 percent mean and 3.85 percent relative cover, Agropyron trachycaulum (slender wheatgrass) providing 1.73 and 3.76 percent mean and relative cover, respectively, and Penstemon strictus contributing 2.00 percent mean total vegetation cover and 3.28 percent relative cover. Vegetative litter (prior years growth, dead wood, and other biologic organic material) comprised 22.80 percent ground cover overall within the reclaimed areas. Bare soil comprised 18.13 percent of the ground cover. Rock accounted for 1.53 percent of the ground cover sampled. No cryptogams were encountered during the cover sampling. 3.1.2 SPECIES COMPOSITION Cover sampling identified three lifeforms and forty-six species within the reclaimed areas. The lifeforms included seven species of perennial grass, twenty -four perennial forbs, four biennial forbs, five annual forbs, and six perennial shrubs. Of the species encountered on the reclaimed areas, thirty-three were native and twelve were introduced (with one of unknown origin). Perennial species outnumbered annual species by thirty-seven to five, with four biennial. Cool season species alone contributed to the seasonality of the reclaimed areas. The shrubs were all deciduous. The reclaimed areas had nine species contributing greater than three percent relative cover this year. Those species included five perennial grasses, and four perennial forbs. These species included Bromus marginatus with 19.27 percent, Agropyron smithii (12.72 %), Achillea millefolium contributing 11.08 percent, Poa pratensis (6.17 %), Thermopsis montanus (5.11%), Agropyron dasystachyum providing 4.14 percent, Hedysarum boreale (3.85 %), Agropyron trachycaulum (3.76 %), and Penstemon strictus contributing 3.28 percent relative cover. 3.2 COMPARISON OF RECLAIMED AREAS WITH FINAL RE VEGETATION SUCCESS CRITERIA Comparison of the reclaimed areas values for vegetation cover and species composition with the final revegetation success criteria indicates whether revegetation has been successful and compliant with requirements for Phase II bond release. CDRMS Rule 3.03.1(2) provides for release of bond, "upon the establishment of vegetation which supports the approved post - mining land use and which meets the approved success standard for cover pursuant to 4.15.8..." The tables below allow the comparison of the parameter values from this years sampling at the reclamation areas with the standards to be achieved, as determined from the Historic Records Study Area. Mountain Coal Company, LLC West Elk Mine 2011 Reclaimed Areas Vegetation Report Phase II Bond Release Page 8