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<br />• EP054, 17.4 ac. (II)
<br />• EP055, 8.8 ac. (II)
<br />• EP057, 68.3 ac. (II)
<br />• WP003, 7.01 ac. (III)
<br />• WP004, 8.7 ac. (III)
<br />• WP012 / WP013, 3.97 ac. (II/III)
<br />• WP014, 49.4 ac. (II)
<br />• WP015, 101.8 ac. (II)
<br />• WP016, 131.7 ac. (II)
<br />• WP017, 12.6 ac. (II)
<br />• WP018, 30.7 ac. (II)
<br />• WP019, 22.1 ac. (II)
<br />• WP020, 95.8 ac. (II)
<br />
<br />Overall, the Team agreed the parcels evaluated for Phase II bond release (822.4 ac.) were
<br />indicative of reclamation success. Average topsoil depth verification was conducted the day prior
<br />to this field evaluation, as part of DRMS’s regularly scheduled minesite inspection. Topsoil
<br />depth measurements were found to be in accordance with the terms of the Colowyo permit,
<br />which authorizes variable-depth placement, and the approved Colorado regulatory program.
<br />
<br />It was evident the reclamation proposed for Phase II release had achieved vegetative
<br />establishment in support of the post-mining land use, rangeland, in spite of 2018’s low rainfall
<br />totals to date. Over the course of this evaluation, the Team encountered multiple herds of
<br />pronghorn, elk, and a coyote. To support smaller wildlife, Colowyo also constructs large rock
<br />habitat structures during reclamation, such as the one the Team observed at parcel WP015. See
<br />Figure 1. The Team’s observations also support the results of Cedar Creek’s vegetation sampling
<br />and statistical analysis with regard to cover. The Team observed an abundance of perennial
<br />grasses, perennial forbs, and shrubs, both volunteer and featured in the approved seed mix,
<br />including slender wheatgrass, intermediate wheatgrass, rubber rabbitbrush, smooth brome,
<br />Rocky Mountain penstemon, Western wheatgrass, cicer milkvetch, Basin wildrye, Kentucky
<br />bluegrass, thickspike wheatgrass, big sagebrush, snowberry, western yarrow, blue flax, Woods
<br />rose, and lupine. See Figure 2.
<br />
<br />Limited quantities of the weedy annual downy brome were present at parcels EP051 (Phase II),
<br />EP050 (Phase III), and WP015 (Phase II). Parcel WP015 was also affected by a thistle patch in a
<br />narrow band on the west side of the East Taylor Ditch. Minor surface disturbances were present
<br />at parcel EP057 (Phase II), due to a spoil spring which is utilized by wildlife, as well as rilling in
<br />parcel WP014 (Phase II). See Figures 3-7. While these issues were not large enough to be
<br />considered representative of their respective parcels, Tri-State will continue to monitor and
<br />address them as appropriate.
<br />
<br />The parcels evaluated for Phase III bond release (222.6 ac.) demonstrated vegetative maturity
<br />typical of the ten or more years since initial reclamation. The Team observed well-established
<br />species from the approved seed mix, similar in composition to the Phase II parcels, including
<br />slender wheatgrass, intermediate wheatgrass, rubber rabbitbrush, smooth brome, Rocky
<br />Mountain penstemon, Western wheatgrass, cicer milkvetch, Basin wildrye, Kentucky bluegrass,
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