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Bond Release Blocks Delineation <br /> As discussed in permit section 4.4.1, reclaimed parcels are compared to three different range <br /> standards based on elevation: <br /> 1. Range site A standards apply to elevations greater than 7200 feet <br /> 2. Range site B standards apply to elevations between 6700 and 7200 feet <br /> 3. Range site C to elevations below 6700 feet <br /> Shrub clumps of approximately 1.6 acres each are established from the transplanting of mature <br /> shrubs retrieved from the advancing areas of the pits. <br /> Contiguous areas of range site A and range site B seeded in the same year and receiving similar <br /> reclamation practices may be lumped together into one range site AB parcel. When the bond <br /> release blocks are comprised of both A and B range site areas, cover and production standards for <br /> range site A will be applied to the block relative to demonstrating reclamation success (Permit <br /> section 4.4.1.5). <br /> Cover and Species Composition <br /> Vegetative cover was sampled in 2017 for all parcels included in the SL19 application.Vegetation <br /> cover was measured with systematically located transects using a point-hit technique with an <br /> optical point bar. The sampling method used meets <br /> `k the criteria outlined in Rule 4.15.11 (1) and the <br /> ermit a lication. Based on the vegetation <br /> m <br /> p pp <br /> n d, <br /> N transect summary table submitted in Appendix 2 of <br /> the application, the required number of samples <br /> ° taken was adequate. The Operator sampled 91 <br /> ". transects through-out the release block. The actual <br /> " herbaceous cover measured over the site was 74.1. <br /> ' L The total effective cover measured at the site was <br /> 54.8/o (perennial cover minus noxious perennials, <br /> r n <br /> plus up to 7.2% annual/biennial relative cover plus <br /> a <br /> theallowable 17.4% litter cover). The total <br /> Photo4: Mixed grasses and shrubs. effective cover exceeds the necessary effective <br /> cover standard for range site A. <br /> Based on the perennial species of grasses, forbs and shrubs found at the site as indicated in the <br /> SL 19 application, it appears the species diversity and composition will support the post-mine land <br /> use. While noxious weeds were encountered at the site,they comprised 12.1%, a small percentage <br /> of the vegetative cover. <br /> Sedimentology <br /> The condition of the sediment ponds and any needed maintenance on the ponds receiving runoff <br /> from the bond release parcels were evaluated. Each of the ponds observed was functioning <br /> adequately and no required maintenance items were noted. With the exception of two stock <br /> ponds, one each in parcels FABO 1 and FAB99, each of the ponds receiving run-off from the bond <br /> release parcels is also receiving flow from affected lands not under consideration for bond release <br /> Permit Number C 1981010 <br /> SL19 <br />