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Phase I bond releases indicated in the application and submitted to DRMS have been verified by <br /> DRMS. <br /> IV. OBSERVATIONS and FINDINGS <br /> During the bond release inspection conducted on 13 October 2020, the following observations <br /> were made. For all parcels, the vegetative cover was consistent with the vegetation sampling results <br /> reported in the SL22 application. <br /> Photo 2: Species diversity of the reclamation. <br /> Species composition was generally consistent <br /> with the species reported in the application, <br /> with relatively large quantities of perennial <br /> grasses comprised of Wheatgrasses (Agropyron <br /> spp.), Great Basin Wildrye (Elymus cinereus), <br /> :r and Kentucky Bluegrass (Poa pratensis) <br /> observed. The dominant perennial forbs <br /> comprised Western Yarrow (Achillea <br /> millefolium), and Alfalfa (Medicago satvia) <br /> ' among others. Rubber Rabbitbrush <br /> (Chrysothamnus nauseosus), Big Sagebursh <br /> (Artemisia tridentate), and Antelope <br /> bitterbrush Prushia tridentate), depending on <br /> r <br /> parcel, made up the dominant shrubs species <br /> present. Noxious weeds such as Cheatgrass <br /> v Bromus tectorum), Musk thistle Carduus <br /> ( <br /> nutans), and Canada thistle (Cirsium arvense), <br /> were observed during the inspection. Thistles <br /> comprised a small set, in both numbers and <br /> extent and did not appear to significantly <br /> 3 s' impact the establishment of the desired <br /> vegetation. Also, it was observed that thistles <br /> had been treated to prevent further spread. <br /> Bromus tectorum, observed during the inspection constitutes a common weed species found <br /> throughout Moffat County; and occurs at Trapper Mine in isolated areas of soil compaction such as <br /> contour ditches and pads. Overall, it did not appear to significantly impact the establishment of <br /> desired vegetation. Isolated and small areas with sparse vegetation were observed. These areas <br /> constituted an insignificant amount of the bond release area. <br /> After final backfilling and grading, topsoil is required to be placed on the spoil. Permitted topsoil <br /> depth replacement on rangeland is 12 inches,with a variation of+/- 2 inches allowed to account for <br /> compaction and operational considerations as per TMI's permit (page 4-256). TMI verifies topsoil <br /> replacement thickness by scraper load counts. TMI included a load count and measured topsoil <br /> depth for each reclamation parcel in the bond release application. Post mining topography has been <br /> presented to and approved by the Division in annual reports (technical revisions), and verified by <br /> DRMS during monthly inspections and Phase I bond release requests. All parcels have achieved Phase <br /> Permit Number C1981010 <br /> SL22 Page 9 of 18 <br />