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QB Energy Operating, LLC <br />Colony Shale Oil Project <br />DRMS Permit ID M1980047 <br />Vegetation Survey Report for Reclamation Plan Updates <br />October 2025 <br />Introduction: <br />In July and August 2025, vegetation surveys were completed on various areas of the Colony Shale Oil Project <br />(Colony Mine) located in Township 5S, Range 95, 96W of Garfield County, Colorado. The surveys were <br />performed to evaluate vegetation type and cover of previously reclaimed portions of the mine. This report <br />was compiled to detail survey findings and inform the Colorado Division of Reclamation, Mining and Safety <br />(DRMS) of the status of these disturbed areas in relation to Annual Reclamation Report Inclusions detailed in <br />Rule 1.15 of the Mineral Rules and Regulations of the Colorado Mined Land Reclamation Board. <br />Methods: <br />Survey areas were identified by DRMS and engineer staff of River City Consultants (River City). Qualitative <br />vegetation surveys were completed by a QB Energy Reclamation Specialist through ocular evaluation. Survey <br />details were documented with photographs and narrative descriptions of general plant cover, vegetative <br />type or plant community, and dominant species present. <br />Report Details: <br />Survey Areas are detailed in Colony Mine Technical Revision – Exhibit E. Each Area report includes a brief <br />narrative description of the Area, revegetation status designation, recommended maintenance to ensure <br />the Area meets DRMS reclamation requirements (where applicable), photographs of the Area, and River <br />City’s map with call-outs and highlights specifying survey areas and recommended maintenance. <br />The revegetation status designations are Successful or Maintenance Required. Areas with a Successful <br />designation were found to meet the following criteria: <br />Erosional features are equal to or less than those in the surrounding area. Water naturally infiltrates <br />into the soil rather than running off the surface. <br />Site is free of all State, County, or locally listed A and B noxious weed species. <br />Permanent vegetation cover, i.e., the basal and foliar cover of desirable perennial species, is at least <br />80% of the basal and foliar cover of the site prior to disturbance or of an adjacent reference area <br />with similar slope, aspect, elevation, and land use. <br />The current plant community is in a healthy early seral state. Plants are resilient, as demonstrated <br />by vigorous, well-developed root systems and flowers. Shrubs are well established and at least in a <br />“young” age class, rather than comprised mainly of seedlings that might not survive. <br />•No one species exceeds 70% of the basal and foliar cover in the resulting plant <br />community to achieve species diversity on the site.