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productivity standard. <br />2018 Diversity: Five perennial species and three cool -season perennial grasses were sampled <br />between 3% and 60% relative cover. This meets or exceeds the requirement <br />for a minimum of at least four perennial species and three cool -season <br />perennial grasses between 3% and 60% relative cover. The 2018 sample <br />data successfully meets or exceeds reclamation success diversity standards. <br />2019 Diversity: Five perennial species and three cool -season perennial grasses were sampled <br />between 3% and 60% relative cover. This meets or exceeds the requirement <br />for a minimum of at least four perennial species and three cool -season <br />perennial grasses between 3% and 60% relative cover. The 2019 sample <br />data successfully meets or exceeds reclamation success diversity standards. <br />Woody Plant Density: The Coal Ridge No. 1 Mine is not subject to woody plant density standards <br />per Rule 4.15.8(7) and Section 4.4.2.10 of the Coal Ridge Permit <br />Application Package. <br />Post -mining Land Use <br />The post -mining land use at Coal Ridge is dryland pasture and wildlife habitat. The Phase III Bond <br />Release area requested with the SL -03 application was walked during the inspection and the <br />Division observed Smooth Brome (Bromus inermis), Western Wheatgrass (Pascopyrum smithii), <br />Great Basin Wildrye (Leymus cinereus), Bulbous Bluegrass (Poa bulbosa), Wyoming Big <br />Sagebrush (Artemisia tridentata ssp. wyomingensis), Rubber Rabbitbrush (Ericameria <br />nauseosa), Scarlet Globemallow (Sphaeralcea coccinea), Alfalfa (Medicago sativa), Cicer <br />Milkvetch (Astragalus cicer), and minor amounts of Field Bindweed (Convolvulus <br />arvensis) within the wildlife habitat area. Within the dryland pasture area, Smooth Brome <br />(Bromus inermis), Western Wheatgrass (Pascopyrum smithii), Crested Wheatgrass (Agropyron <br />cristatum), Bulbous Bluegrass (Poa bulbosa), and minor amounts of Downy Brome (Bromus <br />tectorum) was observed. <br />The vegetative ground cover and species diversity observed during the inspection in both <br />the wildlife habitat and dryland pasture areas were consistent with the data presented in the SL - <br />03 application. The Division observed small amounts of Musk Thistle (Carduus nutans) and <br />Scotch Thistle (Onopordum acanthium), both are List B noxious weeds. There was no evidence <br />these few observed Musk Thistle and Scotch Thistle plants have been established within the <br />permit area for more than a growing season which likely explains why they are not present in the <br />2018 or 2019 vegetation sampling data. <br />Wildlife <br />During the inspection at Coal Ridge, Bald Eagles were observed adjacent to the permit boundary <br />Proposed Decision and Findings of Compliance July 2020 <br />Phase III Bond Release SL -03 Page 6 <br />