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Parcels have been delineated based on: <br /> 1) pit, <br /> 2) initial year of seeding, <br /> 3) range site. <br /> The Bond Release Block consists of parcels that make up a Logical Management Unit (LMU). <br /> The results from all nine parcels included in the BRB was lumped together. , The total vegetative <br /> cover for the 3 76.1 acres was 74.1%,with vegetative litter measured at 17.4%. Based upon criteria <br /> defined in the permit, removal of cover attributed to noxious weed species, and allowing no more <br /> than 10% relative cover from annual and biennial species, the allowable cover from the 2017 <br /> sampling equals 79.4%. The reclamation success standard 52%. The SL 19 Bond Release Block <br /> meets the cover standard. <br /> The vegetation report shows that the reclaimed parcels are dominated by native perennial grasses. <br /> Native perennial graminoids account for 42.9% cover. Of the graminoid cover, 22.5% is <br /> composed of Wheatgrass species, 8.4% cover attributed Bluegrasses, 4.3% cover was from <br /> Mountain Brome, 10.9% cover attributed to perennial forbs, annuals and biennial forbs made up <br /> 7.2% cover, woody species accounted for 1.0% cover, and noxious weeds accounted for 12.1%. <br /> Table 1.2-2 in the SL-19 application provides a summary of the species and life forms sampled. <br /> Although, species diversity is not a requirement for phase II bond release, the establishment of a <br /> diverse and effective reclaimed community that supports the post mining land use, allows the <br /> Division to confirm that the reclaimed area is moving towards final reclamation success. <br /> To demonstrate that runoff from the reclaimed parcels will result in equivalent or lesser sediment <br /> contributions as compared to baseline conditions at the mine, TMI submitted two sediment loss <br /> evaluations; one based on the Universal Soil Loss Equation (LISLE), and a second utilizing <br /> SEDCAD analysis. The LISLE provides a basis for predicting the gross erosion per acre from an <br /> area on an annual basis. SEDCAD modeling evaluates both runoff and erosion estimates and <br /> provides results on the basis of single storm events. <br /> The Division's Guideline Regarding Selected Coal Mine Bond Release Issues dated April 18, 1995 <br /> outlines what the Division may use to evaluate reclaimed lands proposed for Phase II bond release. <br /> In summary, the Division may evaluate the following: <br /> o Topsoil replacement depths <br /> o Vegetation cover success standard <br /> o Species composition <br /> o Re-establishment of essential hydrologic functions on Alluvial Valley Floors (AVFs). <br /> o Erosional features <br /> o Sediment transport <br /> o The condition of sediment ponds and any needed maintenance on ponds receiving runoff <br /> from bond release parcels. <br /> IV. OBSERVATIONS and FINDINGS <br /> During the bond release inspection conducted on 30 August 2017,the following observations were <br /> made. For all parcels, the vegetative cover was consistent with the vegetation sampling results <br /> Permit Number C 19 81010 <br /> SL19 <br />