Laserfiche WebLink
Monitoring/ Sampling. ESCO/Cedar Creek Associates, Inc. conducted revegetation monitoring of <br />permanently revegetated areas during the summers of 2014 and 2015. The second of the required two <br />years of vegetation sampling for phase III was completed on those areas approved for phase 1I and seeded <br />from 2001 to 2004. The first of the required two years of phase III vegetation sampling was completed on <br />areas that have received phase II bond release that were seeded after 2004. Copies of the 2014 and 2015 <br />Annual Revegetation Monitoring Reports accompany this ARR for reference and review. <br />Weed Control. A noxious weed survey was completed for the Yoast Mine area in 2015 to determine the <br />need or level of retreatment necessary for areas sprayed in 2014 and to identify any new weed infestations. <br />Canada thistle was the primary target species in all control areas, with lesser activity directed towards areas <br />of hound's -tongue, whitetop, toadflax, and peppentiveed. The applied herbicide consisted of a tank mix of <br />Milestone, Activator 90, and Journey, Banvel, Weedone, or Metcel VM, dependent on the targeted <br />weed(s). Control areas were sprayed in June, July, and October. Specific spraying targeting jointed goat - <br />grass was performed in identified areas near Pond 10 in October. See the attached 2015 Weed Spray Logs <br />for the locations and quantities sprayed. <br />Spot -spraying was used for targeted weed control, reducing potential impacts to adjacent desirable <br />vegetation. The herbicide nmnx, based on recommendations from the Colorado State Extension Service, <br />was Mixed and applied by a contractor, who is a Licensed Commercial Applicator. The weed control areas <br />will continue to be monitored in 2016 for effectiveness and any necessary retreatiment. <br />Grazing <br />Sheep (850 ewes) were moved on to the Yoast reclaim area for 20 days between mid-September and early - <br />October, following completion of the site revegetation success monitoring. This grazing schedule resulted <br />nn a total of 114 AUMs for 2015. The areas grazed in 2015 are essentially the same as grazing in previous <br />years. <br />Assumptions: <br />• Five (5) sheep = 1.0 AUM <br />• One (1) AUM requires 810 lbs. of forage <br />• 20 days x 850/5 animal units = 3,400 animal days — 30 days = 114 AUM <br />• 1,100 lbs/acre x 798 acres = 877,800 lbs of forage available <br />• 810 lbs x 114 AUMs = 92,340 lbs of forage required <br />• Therefore; 92,340 - 877,800 x 100 = 10.5% utilization of the Yoast reclaimed areas <br />CHRONOLOGICAL HISTORY OF REVEGETATION AND BOND RELEASE <br />As of 2015, all disturbed areas except for 4.9 acres identified as long-term facilities have been backfilled <br />and graded, soil has been replaced, and these areas have been seeded. For the reclaimed areas, 6.5 acres <br />have been approved for Phase I through III bond release, 598.5 acres have been approved for Phase I and <br />11 bond release, and 719.0 acres have been approved for Phase I bond release. As previously discussed, <br />revegetation success monitoring has been completed for Phase III release of the remaining areas seeded up <br />through 2004, the first year of monitoring has been completed for Phase III release of areas seeded after <br />2004, and approxinmately 126.6 acres are eligible for Phase I release. <br />SEDIMENTATION POND SURVEYS <br />SPLLC is required to monitor sedimentation ponds for sediment storage capacities. SPLLC visually <br />inspects each pond a minimum of quarterly each year. During these inspections, any significant observed <br />A <br />