2011-10-03_REVISION - C1980007 (2)

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• • 4.2 SPECIES COMPOSITION The CDRMS considers species composition of the revegetated and reclaimed areas to be an indicator of successful vegetation establishment and a diverse vegetation community. The species composition standard requires that there be at least four perennial species, of which three are warm season grasses and one a cool season grass. No one component of the above four species should comprise greater than 40% relative importance nor less than 3% relative importance. Relative importance will be measured by calculating relative cover of the revegetation species. Vegetation species which may be used in the calculation of species composition may be any plant species not defined as a noxious or prohibited plant species, and may be native or introduced. The reclaimed areas exceeded the required number of perennial cool season grass species (2) by three; with Bromus marginatus, Agropyron smithii, Poa pratensis, Agropyron dasystachyum, and Agropyron trachycaulum accounting for between three and forty percent relative cover. The reclaimed areas exceeded the required number of perennial cool season forbs species (1) by three; with Achillea millefolium, Thermopsis montanus, Hedysarum boreale, and Penstemon strictus accounting for between three and forty percent relative cover. No pests or diseases were present within the reclaimed areas, nor was there numbers of annual species that would negatively impact the longevity of the reclaimed vegetation community. 5.0 SUMMARY Quantitative vegetation sampling of the reclaimed areas revealed that the reclaimed areas exceeded the requirements for final revegetation success for total vegetation cover and species composition. Tables 1 and 2 illustrate that the total number of species encountered during sampling is significant and diverse in numbers of species, lifeforms, and seasonal variety. Based on the results of the 2011 quantitative vegetation sampling at the reclaimed areas, it was concluded that the requirements of CDRMS Rule 3.03.1(2) have been satisfied, and that the sampling results demonstrate the establishment of vegetation which supports the approved post- mining land use and which meets the approved success standard for cover. Mountain Coal Company, LLC West Elk Mine 2011 Reclaimed Areas Vegetation Report Phase II Bond Release Page 1 0