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PERMIT 4: M-1985-031 <br /> INSPECTOR'S INITIALS: JHB <br /> INSPECTION DATE:November 4,2021 <br /> The Southwest corner of the reclaimed area (Phase 2 area)The vegetation was decidedly more bare and <br /> dominated by Russian thistle. While there were perennial grass species, i.e. fescue, the perennial grass cover <br /> was thin and provided poor cover. A scattering of Narrow leaf milkweed was noted as well. Narrow Leaf <br /> milkweed can be toxic to livestock if grazed. Weed control is needed for the Narrow leaf milkweed. The 3:1 <br /> slopes on the south side of this area at the interface with the undisturbed area were very thin of cover. <br /> Although rills and gullies were not observed, additional vegetative cover is needed on the south slope. (Photo <br /> 3) <br /> Moving eastward from the southwest corner, to the southeast quadrant of the Phase 2 mining area, the <br /> vegetative cover improved and had a fair establishment of grasses. This area of good vegetation <br /> establishment is approximately 200 ft east of the western edge of the disturbance. This vegetation appears to <br /> be 3 to 4 years old based upon the species present, and appears stable with few annual species present. This <br /> area appears fairly successful and stable. <br /> There is a finger of undisturbed area that extends northward into the pit area. The East side of the <br /> undisturbed "finger" coincides with the Phase 1 mining area. The area included in the Area Release request in <br /> this Phase 1 mining area is roughly triangular shaped. The northwest portion of this triangle has very thin <br /> vegetation establishment. This area would not be eligible for area release until a better perennial cover <br /> becomes established. South and east of the bare area, Rubber rabbitbrush have become established, blending <br /> into well established Blue grama, Aster, and snakeweed vegetation. Blue grama is a bunch grass, so there are <br /> open areas amongst the well established blue grama plants. This area was not eroding and no rills were <br /> present. The well established blue grama dominated area is adequate for area release. <br /> Due to the patchy condition of the vegetation establishment, the Division requests that this Area Release <br /> request be withdrawn, the successful areas surveyed and delineated on a map, then the application can be <br /> resubmitted with the poorvegetation established areas removed from the application. Additional weed <br /> management (on the narrow leaf milkweed) and reseeding of the areas removed from the application should <br /> be conducted at the appropriate seeding time. <br /> Support Facilities On-site: <br /> On the east side of the Active mining area, there were two unlabeled barrels stored without secondary <br /> containment. Please remove these barrels, and provide follow up documentation that they have been <br /> removed. <br /> Page 3 of 8 <br />