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footprint and the reclaimed sediment pond showed successful revegetated establishment of the sites and <br />no erosion or off site impacts were observed. <br />Success of revegetation of reclaimed areas is determined by comparison to the big sagebrush <br />shrubland and juniper woodland reference areas using the same techniques used in the baseline <br />vegetation inventory in the PAP and in accordance with Rule 3.03. Success criteria for Phase II Bond <br />release requires that the reclaimed area achieve a perennial vegetation cover of greater than or equal <br />to 90% of the perennial vegetation average cover of the approved reference area as per Rule 4.15.8. <br />The Munger Canyon Mine site and its associated reference areas were sampled by Cedar Creek <br />Associates, Inc. (Cedar Creek), on behalf of the permittee, in 2016 and 2017 to provide cover <br />comparison values of evaluation for success of the reclaimed area. The vegetation evaluation report <br />can be found in the PAP as Table 4.8-34. <br />Cover data was collected during the 2016 and 2017 growing seasons for the bond release and reference <br />areas. Sample adequacy was achieved for cover in both the bond release and reference areas for 2016 and <br />2017. The cover success standard for the bond release block is reclamation cover no less than 90% of the <br />reference area cover in a direct comparison test (Rule 4.15.8(3)(a)). <br />The total plant cover in 2016 was 35.0% which exceeded the reclamation standard of 17.8%. The <br />allowable plant cover in 2017 was 34.7% which exceeded the reclamation standard 22.2%. The <br />reclamation cover standard was demonstrated to have been met for both 2016 and 2017. <br />The re-established species include western wheatgrass, great basin wildrye, rubber rabbitbrush and <br />basin big sagebrush. All of these species support the approved post -mining land use of rangeland and <br />wildlife habitat. <br />Cedar Creek's vegetation evaluation report concluded that the Phase II bond release area at the <br />Munger Mine site is significantly greater than the success criteria, passes the Division's ground cover <br />requirement and appears more than capable of supporting post -mining land use for Phase II bond <br />release. After review and on -the -ground inspection by the Division's vegetation specialist, Brock <br />Bowles, it was agreed that Cedar Creek's conclusion is accurate and vegetation at the Munger <br />Canyon Mine passes the revegetation cover requirement for Phase II bond release. <br />The Division approved the removal of the sediment pond in 2014 based upon the review of Technical <br />Revision No. 25. As reported in Annual Hydrology Reports to the Division, Munger Creek is <br />generally dry and does not contribute a significant amount of suspended solids to Salt Creek. <br />Upstream and downstream surface water monitoring shows that there is no significant change in the <br />quality of the water. During the bond release inspection, the access road and drill pad transferred to <br />the Munger Mine from the McClane Mine were noted to be stable, well vegetated and no erosional <br />features were observed. The inspected areas were not observed to be contributing to the sediment <br />load in Munger Creek any more than the surrounding undisturbed land. <br />Summary and Conclusions <br />Based upon a review of the mine permit, the applicant's bond release application, and site inspections, the <br />Permit Number PF.Id Page 7 of 12 <br />