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the East Pit but was not included in the SL -10 application because it continues to receive drainage from <br />disturbed areas within the permit boundary. <br />The Team agreed the reclamation observed was excellent. The reclaimed topography was generally <br />characterized by gently sloping, rolling hills. Permanent on -contour furrows were established during grading to <br />redirect hydrologic sheetflow from the faces of reclaimed slopes. Surface stability was very good; no sediment <br />deposition or cutting was noted. No sedimentation -control structures remained within any of the reclaimed areas <br />proposed for release. <br />A variety of herbaceous and woody species, both volunteer and from the approved seed mix, were noted, <br />including: Indian ricegrass, cicer milkvetch, Great Basin wild rye, Russian wild rye, crested wheatgrass, yarrow, <br />bluebunch wheatgrass, fescue, mountain brome, western wheatgrass, serviceberry, snowberry, winterfat, four - <br />wing saltbrush, rubber rabbitbrush, and big sagebrush. Minor, isolated occurrences of cheatgrass were observed <br />but not of a size or frequency to reach the level of infestation. From an ocular standpoint, the Sagebrush and <br />Mountain Shrub reference areas appeared representative of their respective vegetative communities. <br />Elk scat and evidence of bedding -down were both observed in abundance throughout the parcels. The Team <br />also flushed several sharp -tailed grouse from various locations within the reclaimed East and West Pits. The <br />Team also noted several instances of browsing, particularly of bitterbrush, likely by elk, pronghorn, and mule <br />deer which are a common sight at the Colowyo Mine. The Team interpreted this as evidence in support of the <br />rangeland PMLU. <br />Conclusion <br />The reclamation on the subject 202.4 acres within the East and West Pits, including backfilling and regrading, <br />topsoil placement, drainage reestablishment and revegetation, blended well with the surrounding topography <br />and was sufficient to control erosion, prevent additional contribution of suspended solids to stream flow outside <br />the permit area, and support the post -mining land use of rangeland. The inspector recommends approval of <br />Phase III bond release for the entire 202.4 acres evaluated at the Colowyo Mine this day. <br />c: DRMS <br />Tri-State Generation and Transmission Association, Inc. <br />K <br />