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INTEROFFICE MEMORANDUM TO: Jlbf BU12NL?I,I. FROM: Jr\NE'f BIN SUBJECT: I;AS'1'SIU 3 ,1tINF., - G3, 2006 VEG E"fr\'1'ION SA:\[PLING ANll WF.13U INYGN'fOItY DATE: 8/11/06 CC: Ur\N 1-II?RNriNUE.7. I have reviewed Eastside Coal Company's submittal of their 2006 vegetation sampling report and 2006 Pest, Disease and Weed inspection. The reclaimed area of the mine was sampled in June 2006 for vegetation cover data for future bond release submittal. No noxious weeds were encountered during the 2006 sampling event. This is documented in the cover data reported in Table 3 or the Eastside Mine 2006 Vegetation repot[. This report complies with Eastside Coal Company's cotnmitment to conduct a weed inven[ory in 2006, TR-17, ~\ppendix P. No problems with pests or diseases were identified during the 2006 weed inventory. In accordance with Rule 4.15.10(1) the xevegetation success criteria is based upon vegetative cover on the mine site (permit page 91). The vegetative cover standazd fox the site is 35%. Vegetation data collected on the reclaimed mine site in June 2006 measured 57.47%. Fifteen randomly determined 25-meter long transects were used to collect the data. The data achieved sample adequacy. Data collection methodology deviated very slightly from the method description found in the permit A 25-meter long transect length was used in the 2006 sampling event, while the permit states that a 100-Foot long transect would be utilized. Random distribution of transects, point-intercept data collection was used, and sample adequacy was achieved, resulting in the deviation of the transect length from that stated in the permit as insignificant. Though not required as criteria fox reclamation success for the Eastside Mine, the operator included detail regarding species composition. The data shows a healthy species composition with 14 flowering plant species encountered in the sample data. Six of the species exhibited greater than 3% relative cover, with no one species exceeding 25% relative cover. No species were considered noxious, although one species, Bromus tectorum (Cheatgrass), is a weedy introduced annual. Cheatgrass is present throughout Colorado. The relatively low percentage of this species, 7.74% relative cover, in the reclaimed area indicates that Cheatgrass is not problematic at this site. The 2006 vegetation sampling data show that Eastside Mine has achieved its reclamation success standard for xevegetation for 2006. Of note; reference to HGP-12 <Map finds the portal area, boneyaxd and access to the sediment pond were sampled as one parcel. No sampling was conducted in [he area noted as "Future Office & bathhouse facilities". This area is denoted on permit Map HGP-12 (received by the Division October 31, 2001) as disturbed. Map HGP-7 shows pre-law disuubance. This was labeled as "borrow area". Eastside Coal Company did not re-disturb this area, so this area is considered pre-law, and did not require reclamation by the mining company.