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2013 Woody Plant Density: Eleven shrub patches were sampled that occupied 51.64 acres of the <br />202.4 acres (25.51%) and resulted in an average of 1,265 woody <br />plants per acre. The 2013 sample data for the East and West Pit <br />successfully exceeds 150 woody plants per acre as required by <br />Section 4.15.8 in Coloyo's PAP. <br />2014 Woody Plant Density: Eleven shrub patches were sampled that occupied 51.64 acres of the <br />202.4 acres (25.51%) and resulted in an average of 1,476 woody <br />plants per acre. The 2014 sample data for the East and West Pit <br />successfully exceeds 150 woody plants per acre as required by <br />Section 4.15.8 in Coloyo's PAP. <br />Based on the 2013 and 2014 East and West Pit vegetation sampling results, the Division finds that <br />Colowyo has achieved adequate cover, productivity and diversty on the SL -10 reclamation parcels. <br />Post -mining Land Use <br />The post -mining land use at the Colowyo mine is rangeland and wildlife habitat. The Phase III <br />Bond Release areas of the East and West Pit were walked during the inspection and no problems <br />were observed. While Colowyo has not used the reclaimed lands for domestic livestock grazing, <br />there is a large resident elk herd that uses the reclaimed lands extensively. There are also sever <br />smaller herds of deer and pronghorn that use the reclaimed East and West Pit. The wildlife use <br />includes grazing (including winter grazing) and calving areas. <br />Wildlife <br />Multiple Columbian sharp -tailed grouse were flushed during the inspection in both the East and the <br />West Pit. <br />Summary and Conclusions <br />The Division has completed its review and evaluation of the SL -10 partial Phase III Bond Release <br />application submitted by Colowyo for the Colowyo Mine. The Division proposes a Partial Phase III <br />Bond Release on 202.4 acres in the East and West Pit. <br />Based upon a review of the mine permit, the applicant's bond release application, and site <br />inspections, the Division finds that Colowyo has completed backfilling, grading, drainage <br />reestablishment, topsoil replacement, revegetation, and all other reclamation requirements for which <br />Phase III Bond Release was requested in accordance with the approved reclamation plan at the <br />Colowyo Mine. The reclaimed area included within the SL -10 bond release request have been <br />restored to the approximate original contour of the pre -mining landscape. Slopes conform to <br />post -mining contours as shown on the approved Post -mining Topography Map of the permit <br />(Map 19 and 19B) and appear to be stable. Proper blending of reclaimed areas with undisturbed <br />slopes was achieved, and reconstructed drainages, although not being released, are stabilizing <br />Proposed Decision and Findings of Compliance January 2017 <br />Partial Phase III Bond Release SL -10 Page 9 <br />