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Vegetation sampling of these sites took place in 2019 and 2020. <br />According to the 2019 Vegetation Sampling Report, 15 samples were collected, which satisfied <br />sample adequacy. Total live vegetation cover of 57.73% was reported; a value which includes <br />several noxious weed species: Aegilops cylindrical, Jointed Goatgrass (0.13%); Bromus <br />tectorum, Cheatgrass (5.07%); Cirsium arvense, Canada Thistle (0.13%); Cirsium vulgare, Bull <br />Thistle (0.27%); Convolvulus arvenssis, Field Bindweed (4.27%); and Erodium cicutarium, <br />Redstem Filaree (0.13%). Noxious weed cover was 10% in total, (relative cover of 17.3%). <br />Non -noxious weed cover was 47.73% in total, (relative cover of 82.7%). The data shows that <br />native vegetative cover satisfies the revegetation success criteria (a technical standard of 19.3% <br />total vegetation cover) <br />According to the 2020 Vegetation Sampling Report, 22 samples were collected, which satisfied <br />sample adequacy. Total live vegetation cover of 53.00% was reported; a value which includes <br />several noxious weed species: Bromus tectorum, Cheatgrass (2.00%); Cirsium arvense, Canada <br />Thistle (0.18%); Convolvulus arvenssis, Field Bindweed (2.09%); and Cynoglossum officinale, <br />Houndstongue (0.09%). Noxious weed cover was 4.36% in total, (relative cover of 8.2%). Non - <br />noxious weed cover was 48.64% in total, (relative cover of 91.8%). The data shows that native <br />vegetative cover satisfies the revegetation success criteria (a technical standard of 19.3% total <br />vegetation cover) <br />Group 2 (Sanborn Creek Mine Portals area, Sanborn Creek Mine Fan site) <br />These sites have been approved for a post -mining land use of "Industrial/Commercial", and will <br />be utilized by the North Fork Energy, LLC methane project. There is no revegetation standard. <br />During the SL-4 inspection it was noted that there was no evidence of surface or groundwater <br />impacts, and that vegetation has been established to support the post -mining land use. <br />Summary and Conclusions <br />Based upon a review of the mine permit, the applicant's bond release application, and site inspections, <br />the Division finds that Oxbow Mining, LLC has successfully completed all surface coal mining <br />reclamation operations in accordance with the approved reclamation plan and met all requirements of the <br />Act and the Rules. <br />IV. PROPOSED DECISION <br />Based on the observations above, the Division proposes to approve Oxbow Mining, LLC's request for a <br />Partial Phase I, II and III bond release for the Elk Creek Mine. This proposed decision will release the <br />applicant from liability for all reclamation work for the 16.4 acres identified in Table 1. <br />The Division currently holds a performance bond of $4,500,000 for the Elk Creek Mine. The most <br />recent update of reclamation liability for the site prior to SL-1 was $4,323,977.80. This will be the <br />figure used to calculate the maximum dollar amount eligible for release based on the conditions of Rule <br />3.03.1(2), which states that up to 60% of the bond can be released at Phase I, up to 25% can be released <br />C-1981-022, SL-4 Page 8 of 10 <br />