Laserfiche WebLink
Final Compensatory Mitigation and Monitoring Plan—Version 2.0 <br />Climax Mine Overburden Storage Facility Expansion (SPK-2013-00045) <br />March 2017 Bikis Water Consultants, a division of SGM Page 22 <br />Photographs from fixed points will document the development of the wetlands. The wetlands <br />monitoring will start one full growing season after each phase is constructed, and continue for <br />five years or until the performance standards are achieved, as determined by the Corps. An <br />interim report will be submitted when construction of a new phase is complete. <br />11.0 MONITORING <br />Monitoring will be completed to assess the success of each phase of the mitigation towards <br />meeting the performance standards (Table 4). This will be done using: vegetation transects and <br />plots, soil pits, observations of wetland water supply and structures, and photographs. A <br />monitoring plan for the mitigation site is included in Figure 8. <br />As shown in the monitoring plan, vegetation transects and plots will be established. The species <br />present (or bare ground, water, or litter) will be recorded at a 1-foot intervals along each <br />transect. The percent cover will be estimated visually at each plot. This data will be used to <br />calculate the percent cover and composition of the plant community present. All measurements <br />will be recorded on a standard field data form. <br />Soil pits will be dug to assess the development of hydric soils at the mitigation site. Soil colors <br />will be determined using Munsell Soil Color Charts. <br />Evidence of wetland hydrologic indicators will be observed, including flooding and saturated soil. <br />Inflows in the drainages that feed the site will continue to be measured. The outlet structure and <br />constructed channels will be observed to ensure they are in proper working condition. <br />Photographs will be taken from the fixed photo points shown in the monitoring plan to be able to <br />compare the progress with meeting the performance standards. Photographs will also be taken <br />of the fixed vegetation plots. <br />Monitoring will continue until the mitigation site meets the performance standards for two <br />growing seasons without human intervention. <br />11.1 FEN WETLAND MONITORING PLAN <br />As requested by the Corps and USEPA during review of the project and Section 404 permit <br />application, a monitoring plan was prepared for fens which exist on the upper bench in the <br />eastern part of McNulty Gulch. These fens, which are shown on Figure 2, will not be directly