2021-03-15_REVISION - C1981044 (2)

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standard for both years. Range Site B Sample adequacy was achieved in both 2014 and 2015. Vegetation data for Range Site B in 2014 showed a mean allowable first hit cover of 31.2%. Vegetation data for 2015 indicated mean allowable first hit cover of 70.0%. A direct comparison with reference area 3 values(22.3%and 24%respectively for cover for 2014 and 2015),was used to determine success and the 90%performance standards were exceeded. Reference Area 3 For Reference Area 3, 2014 data indicated a mean allowable first hit cover of 22.3%; and for 2015 a mean allowable first hit cover of 24.0%. The cover sample mean for both years in the reclaimed area was equal to or greater than 90% of the reclamation performance standard. Therefore, a direct comparison of the data for years 2014 and 2015 can be made to the reclamation success standard for cover as per Rule 4.15.11(2)(a). By exceeding the 90% standard,the reclamation standard for cover in both Range Sites A and B has been met for 2014 and 2015. Strip Pit Cover Analysis Vegetation was dense and mature on west facing slopes. On south facing slopes and on pond topsoil piles Bromus tectorum was prevalent. Material stockpiles in the form of topsoil from pond excavations and hydrologic control structures consisting of four sediment ponds and associated headgates remained. Erosional features were not observed in the parcel. Overall,vegetation was diverse,mature and well established. Species composition was consistent with the species reported in the application, and approved seed mix with relatively large quantities of. perennial grasses Festuca saximontana(Rocky mountain fescue),Agropyron cristatum (crested wheatgrass), Thinopyrum intennedium (intermediate wheatgrass), and Bromopsis inermis(Smooth Brome). The dominant shrubs comprised Artemisia tridentate (big sagebrush), Gutierrezia sarothrae (broom snakeweed). Forbes were prevalent and included Crisium undulatum (wavyleaf thistle),Sphaeralcea coccinea(globemallow), and Heterotheca villosa (hairy false goldenaster), among numerous others. Noxious C w list weeds such as Bromus tectorum (cheatgrass), and Poa bubosa(bulbous bluegrass), were observed. Due to the extent of the Bromus tectorum observed in the field, specifically on the south facing slope of the Strip Pit just west of State Highway 13 and concerns raised in conversation with sister agencies, DRMS performed additional reconnaissance to evaluate the area. On 27 August 2019 three UAV flights were utilized to collect data and the resulting imagery was processed. DRMS's analysis indicated that: o the area of interest did not reach the threshold for exclusion o that numerous other species were also present making it difficult to precisely define the extent Permit Number C1981044 Page 19 of 25