2012-04-02_REPORT - C1982057 (10)

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the field to locate random points. Woody Plant Density areas such as may be included in eventual bond release blocks are judged by a standard of 2000 stems per acre. Of Woody Plant Density areas that have been planted at the Seneca IIW Mine, sampling has occurred in 2006, 2007, 2008, 2010 and 2011. Climatic Data Seneca Coal Company has historically provided precipitation data for the nearby Seneca II and IIW Mines, however 2011 data was not available as of March 2012, and therefore 2011 precipitation data was obtained from the NOAA administered Western Regional Climate Center (WRCC) for the nearby town of Hayden (Station 053867). Since the long -term average for the Seneca IIW mine exists for only 26 years, the long -term average monthly precipitation data from Hayden (Station 053867) was used as an appropriate base for comparison. Temperature data from the Hayden station were used as well. RESULTS Data from sampling of Woody Plant Density blocks in 2011 (as well as trend data resulting from the sampling of Woody Plant Density areas at the Seneca IIW Mine in 2006, 2007, 2008, 2010 and 2011) are included in Tables 1 through 42 in Appendix 1. Graphs of woody plant density data and climate data are presented in Figures la through 6 of this report. DISCUSSION Climatic Conditions The year preceding 2011 sampling was characterized by a very wet fall and winter (precipitation in December of 2010 totaled a record 2.98 inches), continuing in early spring with a very wet April and May (Figure C -2). June precipitation was below average with a return to above average precipitation in July. The abundant cold- season precipitation created above average snowpack levels for the region. These wet months combined with a wet summer left precipitation total for the 12 months preceding sampling well above average (Figure 3b). In general, 2011 was the wettest and coolest observed in the last 26 years. 4