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AB blocks is composed of two components. The first component is a measure of overall shrub density <br />for the bond release block. The success standard for the first component is 400 shrubs per acre, measured <br />during the cover data collection. The second component is comprised of concentrated shrub clumps. Two <br />shrub clumps, SC -F-04 and SC -F-06, were included in the lands requested for Phase III bond release under <br />this application (SL -17). <br />The revegetation monitoring data submitted with the application measured 918.7 shrubs per acre exist in <br />the range site A/B block in 2014, and 1,138.6 shrubs per acre in 2015. In 2014, Big Sagebrush (Artemisia <br />tridentata), Antelope Bitterbrush (Purshia tridentate), Mountain Snowberry (Symphoricarpos oreophilus) <br />and Rubber Rabbitbrush (Chrysothamnus nauseosus) were the most commonly encountered shrubs <br />contributing 402.0, 163.2, 163.2 and 105.2 shrubs per acre respectively. In 2015, Rubber Rabbitbrush, <br />Big Sagebrush, Gamble Oak (Quercus gambelii), Mountain Snowberry and Antelope Bitterbrush were <br />the most commonly encountered shrubs, contributing 364.2, 296.8, 128.2, 116.2 and 89 shrubs per acre <br />respectively. <br />The shrub clumps are composed of transplanted shrub pads. If pads exhibit 10 or more live shrubs per <br />pad, the pad is considered alive. If fifty -percent or more of the shrub pads within a clump are considered <br />alive, the clump is considered successful. According to these reports, the 2014 sample data found on <br />average of 71.65% live pads within the clumps, while the 2015 sample data recorded 63.67% live pads <br />within the clumps. Given the results summarized above, the shrub clumps and woody plant densities <br />measured for the bond release block A/B were considered successful. <br />Based on the data presented in the two reports prepared by IME, the revegetation at the Trapper Mine for <br />the range site A/B and C bond release block is deemed successful. <br />Post -Mining Land Use <br />TMI's objective is to restore the affected areas to the land uses prior to mining as indicated in section 4.2 <br />of the permit. There are three significant land uses within the permit boundary: farming, grazing of <br />domestic livestock and use by wildlife. The bond release block does not contain farmland and thus will <br />be used as rangeland for livestock and wildlife. The reclaimed lands have vegetative cover composed of <br />a variety of grasses, forbs, and woody shrubs as described in the above sections. The species, seasonality <br />and forage characteristics of the reclaimed vegetation are suitable for the approved post -mining land uses. <br />The Division has observed livestock grazing and substantial wildlife use of previously reclaimed areas. <br />The revegetation success standards were based on what would be necessary for the land to properly <br />function to accommodate the post mine land uses. Based on the achievement of these requirements, the <br />Division finds that the revegetation on the Trapper Mine reclaimed areas is capable of supporting post - <br />mining land use. <br />Evaluation of Hydrologic Impacts Required by Section 3.03.2(2) <br />Rule 3.03.2(2) requires the Division to evaluate hydrologic impacts prior to releasing reclamation liability. <br />This evaluation must consider whether pollution of surface or subsurface water is occurring and the <br />probability of future occurrence of such pollution. The Division's evaluation is summarized below. <br />Trapper Mine Page 11 November, 2016 <br />Phase III Bond Release (SL -17) <br />