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Sampling results from the 2021 dryland pasture reclaimed area total live vegetative cover was 27.93%. <br /> Of the total live vegetation, perennial cover accounted for 20.0%, while annual and biennial cover <br /> accounted for 7.93%. No noxious weed species were encountered during the cover sampling. <br /> The dryland pasture reference area live vegetative cover for 2021 measured 16.4%. Perennial cover <br /> made up 15.73%, with annual and perennial species comprising 0.67% cover. No Noxious weed <br /> species were encountered in the dryland pasture reference area during the 2021 sampling event. <br /> Based upon the 2021 live vegetative data,the reclaimed area dryland pasture cover exceeded the cover <br /> measured in the dryland pasture reference area. Sample adequacy was not achieved with 30 transects. <br /> The Division accepts the reverse null calculations to demonstrate successful vegetative cover has been <br /> established on the dryland pasture reclaimed area. The Division finds that perennial vegetation has <br /> been adequately established on the reclaimed dryland pasture area. <br /> The reclaimed dryland pasture exhibited 14 plant species within the bond release area in 2021. The <br /> species composition consisted of 5 grass species, 8 forbs, no sub-shrubs, and 1 woody/succulent <br /> species. Four of these species exhibited greater than 3% average cover. <br /> 2021 sampling of the dryland pasture reference area measured 15 plant species. The comprised 7 grass <br /> species, 2 forbs, 1 sub-shrub, and 5 woody/succulent species. The 2021 dryland pasture sampling <br /> indicates that the reclaimed area demonstrates a diverse perennial community. <br /> 2021 irrigated pasture reclaimed area measured 97.8% live vegetative cover. Sample adequacy was <br /> achieved on the irrigated pasture reclaimed area in 2021. The reclaimed irrigated pasture exceeded <br /> the cover standard for 2021. <br /> The operator provided calculations of the predicted soil loss for the dryland pasture Phase II bond <br /> release area using the Revised USLE equation (RUSLE). This methodology is acceptable to the <br /> Division. The operator used two slopes as shown on Map I included in the SL3 2021 Revegetation <br /> Evaluation Report to demonstrate that suspended solids to streamflow outside the permit area from the <br /> reclaimed area does not exceed pre-mining levels in accordance with Rule 3.03.1(3). <br /> The predicted soil loss per acre per year(tons/acre/year) on the Dryland pasture pre-mining slopes were <br /> 0.061 tons/acre/year for slope A, and 0.017 tons/acre/year for slope B. Using the results from the 2021 <br /> vegetation sampling for reclaimed area cover, the reclaimed area Dryland pasture sedimentation <br /> prediction was 0.013 tons/acre/year for slope A, and 0.007 tons/acre/year for slope B. The RUSLE <br /> calculation demonstrates that the predicted sediment loss from the reclaimed dryland pasture will be <br /> less than the sediment loss calculated from the pre-mining dryland pasture. The Division accepts this <br /> demonstration. <br /> The operator demonstrated sediment loss from the Irrigated pasture using the RUSLE equation as well. <br /> Calculations from the pre-mining slopes C and D were 0.084 tons/acre/year for slope C, and 0.012 <br /> tons/acre/year for slope D. Based upon cover data from the 2021 sampling effort, the reclaimed <br /> Irrigated pasture sediment calculations were calculated to be 0.013 tons/acre/year for slope C. Slope <br /> D was calculated as 0.001 tons/acre/year for the reclaimed Irrigated pasture. The Division accepts this <br /> Permit Number C2010-089 <br /> Page 7 of 10 <br />