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of adjacent non -mined areas. <br />PHASE III <br />The following discussion of observations and findings focuses on the results of reclamation to <br />approximate original contour, establishment of vegetation community, mitigation of impacts to <br />the hydrologic balance, and implementation of the approved post mining land use for the Loma <br />loadout only. A total of 2.9 acres is being request for Phase III bond release at the Loma loadout <br />site. <br />Reclamation to Approximate Original Contour <br />Loma load was fully reclaimed in 2001. The loadout is a relatively flat site, nestled between a <br />rail line and a county road with an approximate 0.5% to 1% grade to the east. Inspection of the <br />site shows that the Loma loadout was regraded and blended in with the surrounding existing <br />contours as part of the approved reclamation plan. <br />Establishment of Permanent Vegetation Community <br />The Loma loadout Salt Tolerant seed mix was used for the loadout in 2004. The 2013 <br />vegetation sampling of the Loma loadout measured 35.4% live vegetative cover. There were <br />13 plant species comprised of 4 grass species, 6 forbs, and 3 shrubs. Two of the forbs were <br />noxious species, Acroptilon repens (Russian knapweed), and Halogeton glomeratus <br />( Halogeton). Removal of the cover values of these two species resulted in 34.6% live <br />vegetative cover. Non - noxious perennial plant species accounted for 32.4% cover. Three <br />species contributed greater than 3% relative cover; Kochia prostrata (48.59 %), Atriplex <br />canescens (32.77 %), and Sarcobatus vermiculatus (10.17 %). No individual species <br />contributed greater than 60% relative cover. The results are indicative of establishment of <br />stable vegetation, with no one species becoming overwhelmingly predominant. The <br />established vegetation is adequate to control erosion and minimize the invasion of noxious <br />species. Loma vegetation is shown in Photographs No. 13 and No. 14. <br />Mitigation of Impacts to the Hydrologic Balance <br />Erosion from surface runoff is primarily controlled by the vegetation community established <br />from reclamation work done in 2001 and 2004. The site is relatively flat and is confined by the <br />raised grade of the rail line and a small berm on the south end of the boundary of the Loma <br />loadout. A low spot along the southeastern end of the berm allows runoff to drain away from <br />the site. As discussed earlier, during the Division's inspection in November 2014, no signs of <br />rills or gullies were observed and sediment deposition was not encountered along the loadout <br />site. The Division finds that the reclaimed Loma loadout site does not adversely affect the <br />hydrologic balance of the surrounding area. <br />Implementation of the Approved Postmining Land Use <br />The Loma loadout land is owned by Union Pacific Railroad and is approved for industrial post- <br />