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August 3, 2022 C-1981-008/New Horizon Mine JHB <br /> parcel. This patch had been identified earlier in the year by the Division. There was evidence that the operator <br /> had previously treated this patch for noxious weed control,but new plants have sprouted up. ERMR needs to keep <br /> treating this patch of knapweed to reduce the chance of spread. <br /> Condition of the vegetation on the reclaimed parcels is discussed in both the backfill and grading section and <br /> topsoil section of this report. <br /> TOPSOIL—Rule 4.06 <br /> Removal 4.06.2; Substitute Materials 4.06.4(4); Storage and Protection 4.06.3; Redistribution 4.06.4: <br /> ERMR requested Phase II bond release on 6 parcels. <br /> One 2.9 acre parcel in Section 6 has an objection from the landowner,Mr.Jim Guire. The concerns with the <br /> differential settling in a portion of this parcel were discussed in the backfill and grading section of this report. <br /> There were no concerns with the topsoil replacement. The post mining land use of this parcel,IP-10,is irrigated <br /> pasture. The alfalfa looked healthy in this pasture. There were a couple of spots dominated with pasture grasses <br /> indicating that part of the field wasn't draining as well as possible. These were not bare spots,just containing little <br /> alfalfa,but good establishment of grasses. Traversing across this IP-10 parcel found a good diversity of pasture <br /> species. Species noted included Alfalfa, Smooth bromegrass,Western wheatgrass,buckwheat,occasionally <br /> Dandelion,rare occurrence of Chicory,white sweetclover. This portion of the irrigated pasture appeared healthy, <br /> and other than the differentially settled location,and the small gully on the west side of the parcel,the landowner <br /> did not voice any other concerns. The operator said they would work with the operator on timing of the repairs, <br /> and wait until after the second hay cutting. This was acceptable to all parties present. Topsoil replacement <br /> thickness was verified earlier by ERMR in this irrigated pasture as 21". <br /> Two parcels requested for Phase II bond release,DP16-and DP-17,are located in section 6,immediately north of <br /> Pond 18. These two parcels total 4.9 acres of dryland pasture. The mine area has been extremely dry this season, <br /> and can be observed by the dry conditions on these two parcels. In spite of the drought,the vegetation is stable, <br /> and not weedy. The perennial grasses appear stunted but still alive and seeding out early. For a dryland pasture, <br /> and drought conditions,these two parcels seem to be doing OK. Topsoil verification thickness were measured by <br /> the operator using hand dug holes earlier in the summer. ERMR had left the holes and stakes open for the <br /> inspection. DP-16=22"and DP-17=22" <br /> The remaining three parcels;DP-10,DP-11, and DP-13, requested for Phase II bond release are located together <br /> in Section 36,north of the irrigated pasture IP-11 discussed in the backfill and grading section. New topsoil <br /> verification holes were not hand dug during this inspection. ERMR had dug holes earlier in the summer and left <br /> the stakes and holes open. ERMR verified topsoil replacement thicknesses for DP-10 = 13", DP12=13",and DP- <br /> 13=13". Since the holes had remained open for some weeks, some sloughing of soil had occurred in the holes. <br /> The Division concurs with the reported topsoil replacement measurements. <br /> DOCUMENTS RECEIVED NA <br /> OTHER(SPECIFY) NA <br /> Number of Partial Inspection this Fiscal Year: 2 <br /> Number of Complete Inspections this Fiscal Year: 0 <br /> Page 5 of 8 <br />