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1.2 Precipitation <br />Table P and the associated charts exhibit the seasonal precipitation that has occurred near the mine <br />in Palisade, Colorado over the past 11 years. The overall average annual precipitation for the past 101 <br />years is 9.93 inches while the monthly average ranges from 0.54 inches in January to 1.22 inches in <br />September. Average winter precipitation is 1.68 inches while spring, summer, and fall averages 2.82, <br />2.28, and 3.15 inches, respectively (Charts P1 and P2). Review of Chart P1 further reveals that seasonal <br />precipitation in the past 11 years has been variable ranging from 0.53 inches to 6.22 inches, with the <br />higher values consistently occurring in the fall. <br />Perusal of Chart P2 indicates that precipitation for the 2010/2011 growing season was slightly below <br />average at 88% of normal. Summer and fall precipitation following the 2010 sampling effort can be <br />considered near average (106% and 94% of normal, respectively); while winter precipitation was well <br />below average at 43% of normal precipitation. Spring moisture is essential for the health and vigor of <br />cool season plants, while adequate summer precipitation provides development potential for warm - <br />season species later in the growing season. Spring precipitation was back to near normal levels with <br />95% of average precipitation in 2011. The timing and volume of fall and spring precipitation for the <br />2010/2011 growing season contributed to abundant cheatgrass populations on the mine and surrounding <br />native areas. Specifically, precipitation received during the months of October and May greatly influence <br />cheatgrass germination and growth. October and May received 1.39 and 1.37 inches of moisture, <br />respectively, during the 2010/2011 growing season. This represents 119% and 147% of average <br />precipitation for October and May, respectively. This invasive annual grass, ubiquitous throughout the <br />West, germinates in both the fall and spring and rapidly exploits available soil moisture and nutrients <br />early in the growing season. Cheatgrass develops rapidly, giving it a competitive advantage over native, <br />perennial plants. Collected data in 2011 are therefore reflective of near - average vigor and production for <br />perennial vegetation in addition to abundant cheatgrass populations on both reclaimed and reference <br />areas. <br />Cedar Creek Associates, Inc. 4 Snowcap Mine - 2011 <br />Phase III Bond Release Evaluation - Year 1 <br />