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verification as part of Phase II bond release. In the month prior to this field evaluation, as part of <br />a regular quarterly minesite inspection, Mr. Trujillo dug 17 topsoil verification holes throughout <br />the parcels for which Phase II release is requested in order to measure the amount of "A horizon" <br />soil cover. Mr. Trujillo recorded an average topsoil depth of 21 inches which is in compliance <br />with the terms of the Colowyo Coal Mine permit as approved at the time the Section 16 Pit was <br />reclaimed. <br />With regard to revegetation, the Team observed an abundance of perennial grasses, perennial <br />forbs, and shrubs, both volunteer and featured in the approved seed mix, including Western <br />wheatgrass, cicer milkvetch, antelope bitterbrush, Basin wildrye, Kentucky bluegrass, thickspike <br />wheatgrass, big sagebrush, snowberry, western yarrow, Woods rose, and lupine. See Figure 1. <br />Limited quantities of volunteer/weedy annuals including lambsquarter, downy brome, and <br />tansymustard were also present. Extensive evidence of bedding -down and browsing by elk, <br />coyote tracks, hatchling nighthawks with mother, two herd of antelope, and several deer <br />indicated reclamation success with regard to the rangeland post -mining land use. See Figure 2. <br />The Team's singular concern arose in a portion of parcel 16016 where the quantity of musk <br />thistle and downy brome had reached the level of infestation. Mr. Trujillo walked the perimeter <br />of the affected area and was able to compute its size -1.27 acres, approximately—with a GPS <br />field device. The Team agreed Mr. Trujillo would bring his photographs and description of the <br />1.27 acre affected area to Division vegetation experts for a definitive conclusion on whether to <br />grant Phase III release. That decision will be documented in the Division's finding's document <br />which is forthcoming. See Figure 3. <br />Conclusion and recommendations <br />With the possible exception of the 1.27 acre portion of parcel 16016 noted above, the Phase II <br />and Phase III reclamation evaluated comport with the terms of the Colowyo permit, the approved <br />Colorado regulatory program, and support the post -mining land use of rangeland. OSMRE's <br />written decision regarding Phase II and Phase III bond release will be documented in the future <br />with input from the Division and surface and mineral owners including the Colorado State Land <br />Board and Bureau of Land Management. <br />C. DRMS; Denver, Colorado <br />Tri-State Generation and Transmission Association, Inc; Denver, Colorado <br />Colorado State Land Board; Denver, Colorado <br />Bureau of Land Management; Craig, Colorado <br />3 1 P a g e <br />