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In addition to seeding a mixture of grasses, forbs, and shrubs, on regraded areas where topsoil has been <br /> redistributed, selected areas received supplemental shrub seeding,planting, and transplanting. Species <br /> composition was generally consistent with the species reported in the application with relatively large <br /> quantities of forage grasses comprised of Elymus cinereus (Great basin wild rye),Agropyron smithii <br /> (western wheatgrass),Elymus trachycaulus (slender wheatgrass), forbes included Achillea <br /> millefolium (western yarrow),Medicago sativa (alfalfa),Linum lewisii (lewis flax), and woody <br /> plants included Artemisia alnifolia(silver sage) and Artemisia tridentata(big sagebrush),Rosa <br /> wodsii (woods rose). Numerous other desirable species were noted throughout the inspection <br /> consisting of a mix of forbs, grasses and shrubs. <br /> Noxious and invasive vegetation continue to be present at low levels in some areas requested for bond <br /> release under SL8. Weeds that have historically been of concern and continue to be the focus of control <br /> efforts on the Yoast Mine site include Cirsium arvense (Canada thistle), Cynoglossum officinale <br /> (houndstongue) considered an invasive species, and Cardaria draba(whitetop). The operator's weed <br /> management program has been successful in reducing densities of these species and minimizing <br /> expansions of weed populations. No noxious or invasive weed infestations or large patches of weeds <br /> were observed during the inspection. <br /> PHASE H <br /> As per Rule 3.03.1(1), 3.03.1(2)(a), and 3.03.1(2)(b), the applicant is requesting Phase II bond release <br /> on 193 acres that have achieved Phase I release with the approval of the SL2, 4, and 6 bond release <br /> applications. <br /> Topsoil Redistribution <br /> Topsoil was redistributed on regraded spoils within the release request area beginning in 2001 and ending <br /> in 2007. The required topsoil replacement depth at the Yoast Mine is an average of 1.8 feet(1.0 foot <br /> min.), on regraded mined areas, and 1.1 feet on reclaimed haul roads and facilities areas. For SU, SPL <br /> submitted results from 172 depth samples taken over 818 acres. The samples were evenly distributed <br /> throughout the reclaimed area. The results indicate that an average of 1.8 feet of topsoil had been <br /> replaced on the sample area. The Division finds that topsoil on the partial Phase II release areas has been <br /> replaced in accordance with the approved permit requirements. <br /> Revegetation Success Demonstration <br /> The approved revegetation plan is discussed in Tab 22 of the permit application package. Tab 22 <br /> describes the goals of reclamation,provides a revegetation plan and a description of how revegetation <br /> success will be demonstrated. The post mining land use approved for the site is for livestock grazing and <br /> wildlife habitat with a greater emphasis placed on livestock grazing. Attachment D of the SL8 bond <br /> release application includes a report and supporting documentation of how successful revegetation was <br /> measured. Attachment D was prepared by Cedar Creek Associates, Inc. ("CCAI"). The SL8 application <br /> discusses the livestock stocking rates and wildlife monitoring at the site,indicating that the reclaimed <br /> lands provide excellent habitat for wildlife and ample forage for livestock. <br /> SPL and CCAI largely refer to the SL8 bond release area as Bond Release Block No. 2a(BRB-2a), and <br /> BRB-3. BRB-2a comprising 123.7 acres, BRB-3 comprising 69.3 acres, and the appropriate reference <br /> areas were sampled and tested for the applicable revegetation success standards in 2016. The <br /> revegetation success standards for vegetation cover is based on a comparison of the monitoring results <br /> Permit Number C1994 082 Page 10 of 15 <br />