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New Horizon Mine <br />III. Summary of Reclamation and Management <br />A. General Description <br />The areas applied for under this application were reclaimed from 2005 to 2009. As shown on <br />Map 1, each area requested for bond release is comprised of either irrigated pasture or dryland <br />pasture areas. The areas correspond to the post -mine land use applicable for each area. <br />Generally, grading and topsoiling occurred in the summer and fall months, with seeding taking <br />place in the fall. Map 2 provides the locations of the reference areas for the irrigated pasture and <br />dryland pasture vegetative comparisons. <br />B. Topsoil Replacement <br />In accordance with Map 2.05.4-4 (Postmining Topsoil Replacement) of the approved permit <br />application package, all areas east of 2700 Road and north of BB County Road had lift A and lift <br />B placed separately, and both lifts together have a combined thickness of 23" to 29". This <br />topsoil application depth applied to both irrigated pasture areas and dryland pasture areas are <br />shown on Map 3. <br />As shown on Map 2.05.4-7 (WFC, Llyod, & Benson West Properties Topsoil Replacement Plan) <br />of the approved permit application package, all areas west of 2700 Road and north of BB County <br />Road had 15" to 24" of mixed topsoil placed. For this Phase II application, this only applies to <br />dryland pasture, and the topsoil depths are shown on Map 3. <br />C. Revegetation Success Demonstration <br />Pursuant to Rule 4.15.8(3), Phase II bond liability release will be considered acceptable if the <br />vegetative establishment on the reclaimed land meets the requirement of 90% herbaceous cover <br />of the reference area standard with 90% statistical confidence. Please see Appendix B for <br />information addressing vegetation establishment and sample locations. <br />D. Fertilization — Irrigated Pasture Areas <br />Initial fertilization of reclaimed irrigated pasture areas took place during topsoil preparation. <br />After a year's worth of growth each area was fertilized with 601bs/acre of nitrogen and 20 <br />lbs/acre of phosphorus applied annually. Fertilization has been reported annually and can be <br />found in the 2005 through present Annual Reclamation Reports. <br />E. Sedimentology <br />In accordance with Rule 3.03.3(b), bond liability release cannot be granted until the applicant <br />demonstrates that the existing revegetated area will result in equivalent or lesser sediment <br />contributions to surface runoff when compared with pre -mining levels as determined by baseline <br />SL -15 Phase II Bond Release Application Page 5 <br />