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4.0 SUCCESS EVALUATION <br />Success evaluations involve a direct comparison (and a reverse null statistical test) of appropriate <br />parameters for each variable of interest. Comparisons are made directly with either the reference area <br />parameters or the permitted standards. To further demonstrate the successful passage of all associated <br />standards at Snowcap, reverse null hypothesis testing was performed on all units and for all applicable <br />standards (cover, production and woody plant density). Both statistical and direct comparisons are <br />presented on Tables 1 and 2 as well as a brief discussion of the success standard comparisons in the <br />following sections. <br />4.1 Cover Success Comparison <br />In 2011 and 2012, Cedar Creek was able to make direct comparisons between the revegetated units <br />included in this Phase III bond release evaluation and the reference areas with regard to the variable of <br />perennial ground cover. As noted previously, the Perennial Vegetation Average Ground Cover Success <br />Standard is to achieve 90% of the perennial vegetation cover of the approved reference area. Snowcap <br />elected to use perennial cover instead of total cover due to annual species (predominately cheatgrass) <br />exhibiting between 77% and 82% of the vegetation composition of the reference areas in 2011 and <br />2012. This accepted alternative is stated under Section IV.A.3 in the Guideline Regarding Selected Coal <br />Mine Bond Release Issues (CDMG, 1995). Chart 1 was developed to provide a quick overview of the <br />success of these revegetated efforts in comparison to reference area based criteria. <br />CEDAR CREEK ASSOCIATES, Inc. Page 23 Snowcap - Phase III Bond Release <br />Evaluation - 2012 <br />Chart 1 <br />Bond Release Evaluation - Success Comparisons <br />Perennial Vegetation Cover Standard - 2011 and 2012 <br />30 <br />_ ..._ v� .___........__._._._....._.,.._ <br />...._., , .............. �__ ......_.w__»____...... _..- .._.........._._.._.._._.._ <br />Success Standard - 90% of the <br />25.0 <br />Reference Area Value <br />22.2 <br />20.7 21.2 <br />20 <br />V <br />13.9 <br />---- <br />-- <br />--- <br />5.8 <br />5 <br />__.. ......... <br />0 <br />Greasewood <br />Greasewood Shadscale Shadscale Greasewood Greasewood Shadscale <br />Shadscale <br />Comparison <br />Success Comparison Success Comparison Success Comparison <br />Success <br />Revegetation <br />Standard Revegetation Standard Revelletation Standard Revegetation <br />Standard <br />2011 2012 <br />7771 1 <br />CEDAR CREEK ASSOCIATES, Inc. Page 23 Snowcap - Phase III Bond Release <br />Evaluation - 2012 <br />