Laserfiche WebLink
cover for desirable species was 96.4% and in 2015 it was 99.1%. The forage quality standard was <br />exceeded for both years. The complete dataset and calculations for irrigated pasture are in Appendix B of <br />the application. <br />DnJand Pasture <br />Cover and production data were collected during the 2015 and 2016 growing seasons for the bond release <br />and reference areas. Sample adequacy was achieved for cover and production in both the bond release <br />and reference areas for 2015 and 2016. <br />The perennial plant cover was 26.73% in 2015 and 33.87% in 2016. Both years exceeded the reference <br />area standard of 24.57% and 24.42% for each year, respectively. The production results were 1022.9 <br />lbs/ac for 2015 and 844.0 lbs/ac for 2016. Both years exceeded the reference area standard of 276.0 lbs/ac <br />and 257.0 lbs/ac for each year, respectively. <br />The forage quality standard is at least 75% of the relative forage will be comprised of seeded species or <br />species of comparable quality as livestock forage. The desirable species comprised 95.5% of the <br />production in 2015 and 99.2% in 2016. The forage quality standard was exceeded for both years. The <br />complete dataset and calculations for cover, production and forage quality for dryland pasture are in <br />Appendix C of the application. <br />Northeast Haul Road <br />Phase III bond release is being approved for the Northeast haul road and the associated topsoil stockpiles. <br />The haul road and stockpiles were permitted as adjacent support facilities in TR -75 as allowed per Rule <br />1.04(71). These areas are being utilized by the landowners to support the irrigated pasture post -mine land <br />use, and are considered an integral part of the land management practices. <br />The total requested acres for Phase III bond release is 272.0 acres. <br />IV. Observations and Findings <br />The reclamation for the areas requested for bond release took place from 1994 through 2003, 2015 and <br />2016. <br />The original SL -19 application submitted on July 25, 2016 applied for 278 acres of phase III bond release. <br />During the review process, GW46 requested that the haul road across his property be reclaimed to irrigated <br />pasture and be subject to the normal liability period. Based upon this request, the section of the haul road <br />that crosses GW46's land has been removed from the SL -19 application, thereby reducing the number of <br />requested Phase III acres to 272.0. <br />The Division scheduled and conducted a bond release inspection on August 16, 2016 at 10 am. The site <br />inspection was conducted in accordance with Rule 3.03.2(2). In attendance for the inspection were: Frank <br />Ferris (ERMR), Tony Tennyson (Tri-State), Trevor Ragsdale (ERMR), Elmer Burbridge (landowner), <br />LeaAnn Staats (landowner), Mel Staats (landowner), Dean Naslund (CCC), Stan Garvey (CCC), Jim <br />Guire (landowner), Mike Morgan (adjacent landowner) and RoseAnne Guire (landowner). Lester Goforth <br />New Horizon Mine SL -19 <br />Page 7 <br />