INSPEC16765

• Permit No: C1981041
• IBM Index Class Name: Inspection
• Doc Name: OSM Inspection Report
• Inspection Date: 6/17/2004
• Media Type: D
• Archive: No

some shading and protection for the perennials, as well as soil erosion protection until the
perennials become more fully established. The wheat is not expected to persist as a
significant component of the vegetative cover for more than a few years.
By all appearances, both visuaDy and qualitatively, the vegetation (where mature) on
CRDA-1 is where it needs to be at this point and is approaching approved standards for
cover and diversity.
CRDA-2
This coal waste bank consisted of two benches. The topsoil (six inch topdressing layer)
was obtained from several topsoil stockpiles in the vicinity. Subsoil cover material came
from excavation of sediment associated with removal of rock checks along the Coal
Creek permanent diversion segment, as well as from a small borrow azea adjacent to the
creek near the eastern toe of CRDA-1. The topsoil/subsoil cover depth of CRDA-2 is 24
inches, which is required in the approved permit application. The DMG approved a
variance from the requirement at Rule 4.10.4(5) that waste banks be covered with a
minimum of four feet non-toxic and non-combustible material following amulti-year
field trial and prior to initial reclamation in 1994. The variance was granted due to the
aspect of the slope, the lack of available cover material, and a study conducted by the
Roadside Mine that demonstrates 18 inches of cover is adequate for revegetation
purposes. Thus, the topsoil/subsoil has been replaced to required depths in accordance
with Rule 4.06.4(2). The permit contains specifications for higher quality soil [lower
levels of conductivity (salinity) and sodium absorption ratio (SAR) in the top six inches].
Sampling conducted by the operator has indicated that the replaced topsoil and subsoil
horizons are largely indistinguishable from one another, and in some locations the
topdressing quality criteria were exceeded. Vegetation establishment on these areas will
be closely watched during the first few growing seasons, and mitigative measures will be
required by DMG if warranted. Consistent with Rule 4.06.5, the topsoil has been
redistributed and "roughened," or gouged, with a track hoe to catch moisture.
Because of the grid environment and nature of the pazent materials in the permit area,
soils typically have elevated levels of salts and high sodium absorption ratios. Native
vegetation communities and the species included in the approved permanent seed mixes
are adapted to these conditions. As a result, some spotty establishment may result. The
seed mix consists of different grass species and shrubs including shadscale saltbush,
greasewood, snakeweed, wheat grass, wild rye and four-wing saltbush. The vegetation is
conducive to a salt desert habitat and the waste bank appears to be dominated by
greasewood and four-wing saltbush. However, some of the four-wing saltbush has died
due to the recent drought conditions. Reclamation of the benches began in February of
2002 and the banks were seeded in April of that year. Due to dry conditions, there was
no germination of seeded species during the spring or summer, so this is the first full
growing season for the upper benches. Some germination occurred in the fall of 2002,
with additional germination and growth in the spring of 2003. Disturbances associated
with upper diversion reclamation and road reclamation were seeded in November of
2002. In accordance with Rule 4.15.3(1), seeding and planting of replaced topsoil was
conducted during the first normal period for favorable planting conditions after final