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Monitoring/ Sampling. ESCO/Cedar Creek Associates, Inc. conducted revegetation monitoring of <br />permanently revegetated areas during the summers of 2014 and 2015. The second of the required two <br />years of vegetation sampling for Phase III was completed on those areas approved for phase II and seeded <br />from 2001 to 2004. Years 1 and 2 of the required two years of Phase III vegetation sampling was <br />completed in 2015/2016 on areas that have received phase II bond release that were seeded after 2004. <br />Cedar Creek is currently completing the consolidated report for the Phase III sampling, with submittal of a <br />draft anticipated in early 2"" quarter. The sampling results will be incorporated into a Phase III Bond <br />Release application for submittal to the CDRMS. <br />Weed Control. A noxious weed survey was completed for the Yoast Mine area in 2016 to determine the <br />need or level of retreatment necessary for areas sprayed in 2015 and to identify any new weed infestations. <br />Canada thistle was the primary target species in all control areas, with lesser activity directed towards areas <br />of hound's -tongue, whitetop, toadflax, and pepperweed. The applied herbicide consisted of a tank mix of <br />Milestone, Activator 90, and Journev, Banvel, Weedone, or Metcel VNI, dependent on the targeted <br />weed(s). Control areas were sprayed in august and September. See the attached 2016 Weed Spray Logs <br />for the locations and quantities sprayed. <br />Spot -spraying was used for targeted weed control, reducing potential impacts to adjacent desirable <br />vegetation. The herbicide mix, based on recommendations from the Colorado State Extension Service, <br />was mixed and applied by a contractor, who is a Licensed Commercial Applicator. The weed control areas <br />will continue to be monitored in 2017 for effectiveness and any necessary retreatment. <br />Grazing <br />Sheep (850 ewes) were moved on to the Yoast reclaim area for 20 days between mid-September and early - <br />October, following completion of the site revegetation success monitoring. This grazing schedule resulted <br />in a total of 114 AUMs for 2015. The areas grazed in 2016 are essentially the same as grazing in previous <br />years. <br />Assumptions: <br />• Five (5) sheep = 1.0 AUM <br />• One (1) AUM requires 810 lbs. of forage <br />• 20 days x 850/5 animal units = 3,400 animal days _ 30 days = 114 AUM <br />• 1,100 lbs/acre x 798 acres = 877,800 lbs of forage available <br />• 810 lbs x 114 AUMs = 92,340 lbs of forage required <br />• Therefore; 92,340 - 877,800 x 100 = 10.5% utilization of the Yoast reclaimed areas <br />CHRONOLOGICAL HISTORY OF REVEGETATION AND BOND RELEASE <br />As of 2016, all disturbed areas except for 4.9 acres identified as long-term facilities have been backfilled <br />and graded, soil has been replaced, and these areas have been seeded. For the reclaimed areas, 6.5 acres <br />have been approved for Phase I through III bond release, 598.5 acres have been approved for Phase I and <br />I1 bond release, and 719.0 acres have been approved for Phase I bond release. SP prepared and submitted <br />a partial Phase I and Phase III Bond Release application in December 2016 for 94.9 acres and 277.2 acres, <br />respectively. The CDR -NIS is currently reviewing this application. As previously discussed, revegetation <br />success monitoring has been completed for Phase III release of the remaining areas seeded up through <br />2004, year one and two monitoring has been completed for Phase III release of remaining areas seeded <br />after 2004, and approximately 126.6 acres are eligible for Phase I release. <br />6 <br />