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2 | Page <br />The reclaimed area is well-vegetated with desirable species (prairie sagewort (Artemesia frigita), <br />scarlet globe mallow (Sphaleralcea coccinea), grasses, asters, penstemon, prickly pear, primrose, <br />vetch, etc.). List C weed species field bindweed (Convolvulus arvensis) and cheat grass (Bromus <br />tectorum) were also present. <br />Recent work on the southwestern undisturbed drainage diversion looks good. Herbaceous <br />vegetation is establishing in the channel and no erosive features were noted. <br />The vegetation reference area is on Colorado Parks and Wildlife land. NECC’s lease agreement <br />terminated when the area was Phase III bond released, and NECC no longer has control over the <br />management of this area. NECC is experiencing difficulties coordinating management with <br />Parks and Wildlife and is potentially interested in locating a different reference area or <br />establishing a technical standard for final bond release on the remaining 1.2 acre permit area. <br />Cow patties indicate the reference area is grazed, although it appears grazing has not occurred <br />this year. The area is partially fenced but access remains open. Vegetation on the reference area <br />includes many species also found on the permit area such as prairie sagewort (Artemesia frigita) <br />and scarlet globe mallow (Sphaleralcea coccinea)) but also includes additional species such as <br />paintbrush (Castilleja angustifolia) and yellow sweetclover (Melilotus officinalis). The reference <br />area is mostly flat with a gentle slope, while the permit area hosts greater slopes and changes in <br />aspect. The vegetation reference area is discussed in more detail in a separate topic-specific <br />oversight evaluation report. <br />Rule 4.18 Protection of Fish & Wildlife <br />Several long sections of wire were found partially buried near the northwestern undisturbed <br />perimeter diversion inside the permit area. We attempted to remove the wire but could not do so <br />without gloves or wire cutters. We recommend removing this material to prevent wildlife from <br />becoming entangled. <br />Rule 5.02.4(1): Availability of Records <br />All required records were located at the New Elk office during the inspection. Because this is <br />such a small remnant permit area, many records are no longer required (e.g. NPDES permit has <br />been terminated, there are no ponds, no blasting, no county special use permit, etc.). <br />Maintenance Items: <br />x Recent runoff undercut hay bale lines, needs repair. <br />x Recommend removing wire material from ground to prevent wildlife from becoming <br />entangled. <br />x It might be necessary to locate and permit a new vegetation reference area or determine a <br />technical standard for reclamation success for the remaining permit. <br />x The permit area boundary has a strange road shaped corridor on the south end that is not <br />marked as disturbed area. Need to research the history of this area prior to final bond <br />release. <br />Programmatic Compliance: <br />No enforcement actions were initiated and none were pending during this inspection.