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Evaluation Parameter <br />Phase III PSM BRB -2 <br />Reference Areas <br />Quantitative Cover Sampling <br />Min. 15 samples <br />(and to adequacy *) <br />Min. 15 samples * <br />Quantitative Production <br />Sampling <br />Min. 30 samples * <br />Min. 30 samples <br />Woody Plant Density Sampling <br />— Background <br />Min. 30 samples * <br />NA <br />Woody Plant Density Sampling <br />— Concentration Areas <br />Min. 50 samples * <br />NA <br />Species Density Sampling <br />Min. 15 samples <br />Min. 15 samples <br />Success Demonstration <br />Approach <br />Hypoth. Testing for cover, production <br />and woody plant density; 3 of 4 <br />specified tests for species diversity <br />NA <br />INTRODUCTION <br />Quantitative sampling of reclaimed and reference areas at Peabody Sage Creek Mining, LLC., Peabody <br />Sage Creek Mine (PSCM) was undertaken in July 2012 by ESCO Associates to provide data for formal <br />testing of Revegetation Success in application for Phase III Bond Release. These 2012 data would be <br />the first of two years' data needed to comply with CDRMS bond release testing requirements. Methods, <br />sample areas, and sample sizes were those specified in a study plan submitted by Peabody to Colorado <br />Division of Minerals and Geology (ESCO 2005b) for bond release testing on the same lands when they <br />were part of the Seneca II Mine permit area. <br />METHODS <br />Phase ill Bond Release Block (BRB) PSCM -2 Sampling <br />The 422.6 acres of BRB PSCM -2 (formerly Seneca II BRB 4) includes several reclamation parcels <br />seeded from 1997, 1998 and 1999 as well as several parcels seeded in 2002 -2003. In addition, this BRB <br />includes parcels interseeded as part of normal husbandry in 2006. Sample area locations are shown on <br />Map 1, "Vegetation Monitoring Locations - 2012 Phase III BRB PSCM -2." <br />Reference Area Sampling <br />The Mountain Brush and Sagebrush Reference Areas were sampled to provide cover and production <br />data for comparison with reclaimed area data as per permit provisions. Reference Area sampling <br />locations are shown on Map 2 "Vegetation Monitoring Locations — 2012 Mountain Brush and Sagebrush <br />Reference Areas." <br />Summary of Sampling Design <br />* Or to fifty samples or use of upper 90% confidence limit after 15 samples <br />1 <br />