Laserfiche WebLink
these lands are in the PSCM permit area. Phase II bond release has been approved for the <br />requested Phase III block in SL -1 submitted under the PSCM permit. <br />Phase III bond release is being requested for 422 acres of reclaimed lands at PSCM. These lands <br />have established vegetation that has met the minimum ten-year liability period and are able to <br />support the approved post -mining land use. Phase III revegetation success evaluations were <br />based on the applicable success standard requirements and procedures spelled out in Exhibit <br />2.05.4-E1 of the PSCM permit, Rules 3.03.1(2) (c), 3.03.1(4) and 4.15.8, and the Division's <br />Guideline Regarding Selected Coal Mine Bond Release Issues (April 1995). Revegetation success <br />is demonstrated by meeting the appropriate cover, production, woody plant density and species <br />diversity success standards based on statistically valid sampling. Species composition and <br />diversity requirements are assessed through the vegetation cover data and evaluations using a <br />species diversity assessment included in Exhibit 2.05.4 -El of the PSCM permit. <br />Revegetation Success <br />Vegetation sampling in the Phase III bond release block (referred to as BRB PSCM-2 in the <br />revegetation success evaluation report contained in Attachment D and below) and the PSCM <br />reference areas was conducted in July 2012 and July 2014 by ESCO Associates. The 2012/2014 <br />revegetation success evaluation report for the PSCM Phase III bond release evaluation is <br />included as Attachment D — Revegetation Success Supporting Documentation. The Phase <br />III bond release block, reference areas and random sample point locations are included on Maps <br />1 - 4 contained in the 2012/2014 revegetation success evaluation report. <br />Successful revegetation for the parameters of cover, herbaceous production, woody plant <br />density (background and concentration areas) and species diversity was demonstrated in <br />both 2012 and 2014 vegetation sampling. The results of those demonstrations are <br />summarized in the following sections and detailed in the report in Attachment D. <br />Cover. The PSCM cover standard and success evaluation procedures are as follows. The cover <br />success standard is based on a weight averaged value (based on the two primary pre -mine <br />vegetation type contributions to total acreage) for first hit adjusted herbaceous cover derived <br />from sampling in the approved PSCM sagebrush and mountain brush reference areas. The <br />weighting contribution is mountain brush 83% and sagebrush 17%. First hit adjusted herbaceous <br />cover is determined from cover sampling in the Phase III reclaimed lands and the two native <br />