2013-02-27_REPORT - C1981028 ‎(12)‎

• Permit No: C1981028
• IBM Index Class Name: Report
• Doc Date: 2/27/2013
• Doc Name: 2012 Annual Reclamation Report
• From: Coors Energy Company
• To: DRMS
• Annual Report Year: 2012
• Permit Index Doc Type: Annual Reclamation Report
• Email Name: BFB
• Email Name: SB1
• Media Type: D
• Archive: No

relative cover of individual plant species and lifeforms. The quantitative cover data also
provided the basis for calculation of species composition and relative importance.
2.2.3 Herbaceous Production
Herbaceous production was estimated by the harvest method. One herbaceous production
plot was located and randomly oriented at the origin of each cover transect. Additional
production plots were randomly located. Herbaceous production plots were 0.50 meter
in area. All current year above ground live herbaceous plant biomass was clipped within
the 0.50 meter quadrat. Production material was air dried until weights varied by no
more than 0.1g. This season, plant lifeforms were separated and herbaceous production
for each lifeform is reported, as is total herbaceous production.
2.2.4 Species Composition
Species composition information was derived from quantitative vegetation cover data.
Relative cover information provided a basis for evaluation of the importance of each
encountered plant species and lifeform and for comparison to the final revegetation
success criterion. The table presenting data summaries for total vegetation cover also
contains the relative cover by species, and a column depicting the numerical ranking of
significant species by relative cover ( >3 %) within the reclamation area.
2.3 SAMPLE NUMBERS /SAMPLE ADEQUACY
For the purposes of vegetation monitoring at the Keenesburg Mine, set numbers of
samples were established for the parameters to be sampled by Savage and Savage and
CEC. The number of samples taken for each parameter was consistent with numbers
agreed to in the past by CDRMS. Due to the small size of Reclamation Area 23, and the
potential for oversampling skewing data results, five vegetation cover transects and five
herbaceous production quadrats were sampled this season.
Since the purpose of this sampling was the monitoring of the vegetative condition at the
revegetated areas of the mine, sampling need not meet sample adequacy requirements.
Minimum sample sizes and standard deviation are reported as an indication of variability
of the sampled parameters. Comparisons between sample mean parameter values assume
that the sample mean value of each parameter accurately represents the population mean
in all cases.
2.4 SPECIES IDENTIFICATION AND VERIFICATION
Species identification was accomplished in the field through the use of plant
identification keys (Harrington, 1954, Weber, 1990; Whitson, 1987; Zimdahl, 1990,
Stubbendieck, et al, 1995). In cases where plant identification was inconclusive in the
field, voucher specimens were pressed for lab identification.
Coors Energy Company Keenesburg Mine Page 9
2012 Revegetation Monitoring Report