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In 2016, five perennial species contributed at least 3% relative cover: great basin wildrye (3.1%) <br />western wheatgrass (6.54%), northern sweetvetch (11.26%), rubber rabbitbrush (4.68%) and basin <br />big sagebrush (24.52%). Two of these species, great basin wildrye and western wheatgrass, are cool - <br />season grasses. Basin big sagebrush was the largest contributer of relative cover at 24.52% which is <br />below the maximum allowable relative cover of 60%. <br />In 2017, five perennial species contributed at least 3% relative cover: great basin wildrye (8.19%) <br />western wheatgrass (16.23%), northern sweetvetch (7.74%), rubber rabbitbrush (7.00%) and basin <br />big sagebrush (27.94%). Two of these species, great basin wildrye and western wheatgrass are cool - <br />season grasses. Basin big sagebrush was the largest contributer of relative cover at 27.94% which is <br />below the maximum allowable relative cover of 60%. <br />The reclamation diversity standards were demonstrated to have been met for both 2016 and 2017. <br />Cedar Creek's vegetation evaluation report concluded that the Phase III 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 III 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 III bond release. <br />Summary and Conclusions <br />Based upon a review of the mine permit, the applicant's bond release application, and site inspections, the <br />Division finds that CAM Mining, LLC has successfully achieved its requirements for productivity, species <br />diversity, and woody plant density. <br />CAM Mining has demonstrated that the Munger Canyon Mine has successfully established a permanent <br />vegetative community, mitigated the impacts to the hydrologic balance, and implemented the approved <br />post -mining land use which has met all of the requirements of the Act and the Rules. For the acreages <br />used to determine the Phase III request, please see Figure 1 attached to the end of this document. <br />IV. PROPOSED DECISION <br />Based on the observations above, the Division proposes to approve CAM Mining, LLC's request for a <br />Phase I release of 6.37 acres, Phase II release of 7.76 acres, Phase III release of 21.97 acres bond release <br />and termination of Division jurisdiction for the Munger Canyon Mine (see Figure 1 in this Findings <br />Document for a description of these parcels). This proposed decision will release the applicant from <br />liability for backfilling, grading, and drainage reestablishment, topsoil redistribution and establishment of <br />vegetation. The bond release will apply to all of the remaining disturbed areas of the Munger Canyon <br />Mine. <br />Permit Number PEW Page 9 of 12 <br />