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in the SL24 application. <br /> Species composition was generally consistent witl <br /> the species reported in the application, with <br /> relatively large quantities of perennial grasses <br /> comprised of Wheatgrasses (Agropyron spp), <br /> p; and Great Basin Wildrye (Elymus cinereus) <br /> - A,r �� observed. The dominant perennial forbs <br /> s: d r � t <br /> comprised Western Yarrow (Achillea millefolium) <br /> >. t a <br /> and Alfalfa (Medicago satvia) among others and <br /> perennials such as penstemon and flax were <br /> numerous throughout the BRBs. Rubber <br /> Rabbitbrush (Chrysothamnus nauseosus), Big <br /> Sa ebursh Artemisia tridentate), and Antelope <br /> bitterbrush (Prushia tridentate), depending on <br /> parcel, made up the dominant shrub species <br /> ; l present. Noxious weeds such as Cheatgrass <br /> (Bromus tectorum), white top (Lepidium draba), <br /> and Canada thistle (Cirsium arvense), were <br /> observed during the inspection. Weed species <br /> ' comprised a small set, in both numbers and extent <br /> and did not appear to significantly impact the <br /> establishment of the desired vegetation. These <br /> isolated areas were noted and marked with GPS <br /> for future observation. These areas constituted <br /> Photo 2: Species diversity of the reclamation. <br /> an insignificant amount of the bond release area. <br /> After final backfilling and grading, topsoil is required to be placed on the spoil. Permitted topsoil <br /> depth replacement on rangeland is 12 inches, with a variation of+/- 2 inches allowed to account for <br /> compaction and operational considerations as per TMI's permit (page 4-256). TMI verifies topsoil <br /> replacement thickness by scraper load counts. TMI included a load count and measured topsoil depth <br /> for each reclamation parcel in the bond release application. Post mining topography has been <br /> presented to and approved by the Division in annual reports (technical revisions) and verified by <br /> DRMS during monthly inspections and Phase I bond release requests. All parcels have achieved Phase <br /> I bond release. <br /> Although erosional features were noted during the inspection, in general, erosion is not a problem in <br /> the SL24 bond release parcels. Erosional features were brought to the attention of the operator and <br /> were repaired in a timely manner as described in DRMS's November 2023 inspection report. <br /> Cover and Species Composition <br /> Vegetative cover was sampled in 2023 for all parcels included in the SL24 application. Vegetation <br /> cover was measured with systematically located transects and an optical point bar using a point-hit <br /> technique. A 10-point frame was placed at 10 locations along each 50-meter transect for a total of 100 <br /> data points per transect. The sampling method used meets the criteria outlined in Rule 4.15.11(1) and <br /> Permit Number C1981010 <br /> SL24 Page 9 of 16 <br />