2014-05-13_INSPECTION - C1981041 (2)

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May 7, 2014 C- 1981 - 041 /Roadside Portals JHB grasses. Snowcap Coal Company left the surface roughened which has been very effective for erosion control. No gully formation or rilling was observed on the slopes of the RRDA. RECLAMATION SUCCESS - Rule 4.15, Rule 3: Both vegetation reference areas were observed. The Shadscale reference area is located on the slope east of the reclaimed Roadside (South) portals and west of the powerline. (Photos 2 & 3) The Shadscale reference area is on a fairly steep west facing slope. Plant species visually dominant in this reference area include Shadscale, sagebrush, Jim Hill mustard (Sysimbruim), Galleta grass, Red -stem filaree (stork's bill), a small vetch or milkvetch (possibly Rimrock milkvetch), Scarlet globemallow, and Needle- and - thread grass. The Shadscale reference area also exhibited a fairly well established frequency of Musk thistle. The Greasewood reference area is located north of CRDA1 & CRDA2 along Coal Creek. This reference area is split by the County road, but is fenced. After SL8 approval, there is potential that the only remaining reclaimed area that will be compared to the Greasewood reference area for success determination will be a 0.3 acre area where the conveyor crossed the Colorado River. The Greasewood reference area has a thick stand of Cheatgrass in addition to greasewood, shadscale, annual mustards, Notch - leaved Phacelia, Mormon tea, Bladderpod, and Galleta grass. This list is not complete of all species found in this reference area, but represents the visually dominant species identified during this inspection. REVEGETATION — Rule 4.15 Vegetative Cover; Timing: The vegetation established on the RRDA is stable and effective in stabilizing the slopes. Visually the reclaimed RRDA appears diverse and dominated by bunch grasses. Few noxious species were observed on the RRDA. The vegetative cover on CRDA1 and CRDA is also diverse, well established and stable. No rilling or gullying was noted on CRDAI or CRDA2. (Photos 7 & 8) Cheatgrass is prevalent throughout the region, both on the undisturbed Greasewood reference area and is present on reclaimed areas. The reclaimed North Decline area tends to have a higher frequency of Cheatgrass than noted on the CRDA 1 & 2 or RRDA. Only minor rilling was observed east of the Permanent drainage at the North Decline. The operator has identified two patches of Tamarisk that require weed control at the North Decline (photo 1). The operator is working with a contractor to implement effective control of the tamarisk. One small reclaimed area is located on the east side of the Colorado River where the conveyor crossed the river. This small area currently is approved to be compared to the Greasewood reference area. The reclaimed site is dominated by shrubs; greasewood and shadscale. It is a small area consisting of approximately 0.3 acres. The operator is questioning if the shadscale reference area could be used for the success comparison due to logistics with the greasewood reference area. (Photo 4) Number of Partial Inspection this Fiscal Year: 8 Number of Complete Inspections this Fiscal Year: 3 Page 3 of 8