2018-04-17_REPORT - C1994082 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Monitoring/Sampling. ESCO/Cedar Creek Associates, Inc. conducted revcgctation monitoring of permanently revegetated areas during the summers of 2014 and 2015. The second of the required two years of vegetation sampling for Phase III was completed on those areas approved for Phase II and seeded from 2001 to 2004. Years 1 and 2 of the required two years of Phase III vegetation sampling was completed in 2015/2016 on areas that have received Phase 11 bond release that were seeded after 2004. Cedar Creek completed a consolidated report for the Phase III sampling, and this information will be incorporated into a bond release application to be submitted in 2018. Weed Control. A noxious weed survey was completed for the Yoast Mine area in 2017 to determine the need or level of retreatment necessary for areas sprayed in 2015 and to identify any new weed infestations. Canada thistle was the primary target species in all control areas, with lesser activity directed towards areas of hound's -tongue, whitetop, toadflax, and pepperweed. The applied herbicide consisted of a tank mix of Milestone, Activator 90, and journey, Banvel, Weedone, or Metcel VM, dependent on the targeted weed(s). Control areas were sprayed in August and September. See the attached 2017 Weed Spray Logs for the locations and quantities sprayed. Spot -spraying was used for targeted weed control, reducing potential impacts to adjacent desirable vegetation. The herbicide mix, based on recommendations from the Colorado State Extension Service, was mixed and applied by a contractor, who is a Licensed Commercial Applicator. The weed control areas will continue to be monitored in 2018 for effectiveness and any necessary retreatment. Grazing Sheep (850 ewes) were moved on to the Yoast reclaim area for 20 days between mid-September and early - October, following completion of the site revegetation success monitoring. This grazing schedule resulted in a total of 114 AUMs for 2015. The areas grazed in 2016 and 2017 are essentially the same as grazing in previous years. Assumptions: • Five (5) sheep = 1.0 AUM • One (1) AUM requires 810 lbs. of forage • 20 days x 850/5 animal units = 3,400 animal days - 30 days = 114 AUM • 1,100 lbs/acre x 798 acres = 877,800 lbs of forage available • 810 lbs x 114 AUMs = 92,340 lbs of forage required • Therefore; 92,340 - 877,800 x 100 = 10.5% utilization of the Yoast reclaimed areas CHRONOLOGICAL HISTORY OF REVEGETATION AND BOND RELEASE As of 2017, all disturbed areas except for 4.9 acres identified as long-term facilities have been backfilled and graded, soil has been replaced, and these areas have been seeded. For the reclaimed areas, 281.7 acres have been approved for Phase I through 111 bond release, 598.3 acres have been approved for Phase I and 11 bond release, and 828.0 acres have been approved for Phase I bond release. SP prepared and submitted a partial Phase I and Phase III Bond Release application (SL -06) in December 2016 for 94.9 acres and 277.2 acres, respectively (acres included in the previous totals). The bond release application was reviewed and approved on February 9, 2018. With a reduction in the calculated reclamation liability in conjunction with Permit Renewal RN15-04, and the referenced partial bond release, SP submitted a bond reduction rider to make the appropriate adjustments in bond amount in April 2018. As previously discussed, revegetation success monitoring has been completed for Phase III release of the remaining areas seeded up through 2004, year one and two monitoring has been completed for Phase III release of remaining areas seeded after 2004, and approximately 126.6 acres are eligible for Phase I release. A