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those found in nearby undisturbed areas. Colowyo strongly believes that <br />increased plant diversity will lead to the ultimate goal of creating specific post - <br />mine land uses that vary from livestock grazing to sage grouse brood rearing <br />habitat. <br />Colowyo also maintains an area specific seeding program which hinges on the <br />Variable Topsoil Replacement Program described above. Areas within each <br />reclamation unit are identified on the basis of steepness of slope to target <br />Sagebrush Steppe communities and Grassland communities. Sagebrush Steppe <br />communities are identified by all slope grades that are under ten percent and <br />Grassland communities exhibit slope grades over ten percent. Sagebrush Steppe <br />areas are targeted for an average of four - inches of topsoil and Grassland areas <br />are targeted for an average of four to eighteen inches depending on slope and <br />location. Sagebrush Steppe specific seed mixes in the Sagebrush Steppe areas <br />target a post- mining land use objective of wildlife habitat to provide Sage Grouse <br />brood rearing habitat and shrub re- establishment. The Grassland targeted areas <br />are expected to exhibit a post -mine land use of livestock grazing that also <br />provides benefits for wildlife. The Grassland specific seed mix also ensures slope <br />stabilization and minimizes erosion in the years immediately following <br />reclamation. Colowyo has also included significant levels of sagebrush in the <br />Grassland Seed Mix to encourage additional shrub establishment in the <br />Grassland community areas. <br />Both of these reclamation initiatives were implemented on the final surface of <br />the West Pit fill from 2011 to 2013. Vegetation monitoring results from several <br />years of these programs in other areas of the mine are indicating successful <br />progress to achieving the vegetation standards needed for Phase III bond <br />release, and Colowyo believes that in the allotted timeframe the West Pit Fill <br />reclamation will be fully released to the standards in the approved permit. In <br />2014, Colowyo plans to submit a Phase I bond release package for the final areas <br />that have not released on the West Pit Fill. When this Phase I application is <br />approved, Colowyo will be released of the bulk of the reclamation liability for the <br />entire West Pit Fill. <br />