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Permit Number: C1982057 Page 12 of 20 <br />Phase III <br /> <br />means from the five extended reference areas (ERAs) were weighed based on their pre-mining <br />abundance to create a single reference standard. <br />o Hypothesis Testing: Revegetation success for cover, production, and woody plant density (WPD) was <br />demonstrated using various statistical tests, including a direct comparison, a one-sample t-test of the <br />"reverse null" hypothesis, or a non-parametric L-test. <br />o Species Diversity: Success required passing a mandatory test (no single species exceeding 60% relative <br />cover) and at least two of three alternative tests: Total Species Density, Species Density Distribution <br />among lifeforms (using the Motyka similarity index), and the presence of native species. <br /> <br />BRB6 was assessed for vegetative success in both 2022 and 2023 BY CCAI and DRMS analyzed and <br />successfully replicated CCAI’s results using the data CCAI provided. A minimum of 30 samples were required <br />within this block. In each of the two years, 32 samples were gathered in BRB-6 to evaluate cover, production, <br />and woody plant density. The Division agrees that 32 samples are sufficient for determining the vegetative <br />success of this site. <br /> <br />Post Mining Land Use <br />The approved post mining land use for the lands applicable to SL8 is rangeland/wildlife habitat. The <br />reclamation plan and the approved revegetation standards are designed to achieve the approved post <br />mining land use. Livestock grazing has occurred on the reclaimed lands since 2007. Grazing encompasses <br />the majority of the reclaimed lands as granted by landowners. Grazing numbers range between 104 and 230 <br />cow calf pairs. Anecdotal comments by livestock operators to reclamation management personnel indicate <br />satisfaction with the reclaimed grazing resource and resulting animal performance. Wildlife frequents the <br />site and wildlife monitoring conducted from 1994 through 2010. Monitoring through 2007 focused on large <br />game, upland birds, raptors and predators. Elk and mule deer are commonly observed throughout the year <br />making use of forage and cover on the reclaimed areas. Spring and summer sightings of elk cow calf pairs <br />are frequent. Annual monitoring reports through 2007 indicate steadily increasing numbers of elk and mule <br />deer. DRMS inspections routinely note the presence of big game, especially elk, upland birds and raptors. <br />Annual reclamation reports submitted to DRMS present wildlife monitoring results. The most recent <br />wildlife monitoring was conducted in cooperation with Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) during 2024. <br />DRMS finds the operator has reclaimed the SL8 bond release block to support the post mine land use. <br /> <br />III. OBSERVATIONS and FINDINGS <br /> <br />107.9 acres of land were requested in the final Phase I/II/III Bond release application (SL8). The <br />following discussion of observations and findings focuses on the results of: <br />o Phase I, backfilling, grading and drainage control <br />o Phase II, cover success standard as per Rule 4.15.9 and productivity standards for any alluvial valley <br />floors, sedimentology demonstration <br />o and Phase III vegetation and hydrologic monitoring, the protection of the hydrologic balance and <br />achievement of the post mining land use. <br /> <br />Phase I Finding Rule 3.03.1(2)(a) <br />Phase I release areas are comprised of roads, ponds and areas around ponds 006, 016. All impoundments were <br />inspected during the 5 June 2025 bond release inspection. During the bond release inspection, the Division