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Backfilf and gradirtg: West face of coal processing waste bank has some cover of yellow <br />sweetclover, annual sun}fower, oats, and russian thistle. An occasional Slender wlteatgrass was <br />observed as well Rill formation on this west slope appears to have been stalled at this time. <br />vegetative cover and the lack of precipitation could be likely reason that new rills were not <br />observed Rill formation continues in the NE corner of the Coal Waste Bank (East of the Portal <br />No. 2 area). CWD #2 is not contributing ntn on into this comer. <br />Topsoil and revegetation: Backfilled RDA slopes that received no topsoil replacement show little <br />sign of vegetation establishment. No perennial grasses could be discerned on these slopes. Yery <br />little annuals, wheat, or even yellow sweetclover have taken hold on the untopsoiled RDA slopes. <br />The topsoiled RDA slopes and backfil[ed portal slopes by the shop building have considerable <br />stands of yellow sweetclover and volunteer wheat. The absence of these adventitious species on <br />the untopsoiled slopes concerns the Division that vegetation establishment on these slopes will not <br />succeed The mine site has received low moisture so far this growing season. The vegetation <br />establishment should be closely monitored this summer. The operator should consider additional <br />steps to assure vegetation establishment. <br />The top surface of the RDA that has been identified in previous reports (February 13, 1996) as <br />being compacted has been ripped at a diagonal pattern. This activity had not been noted in the <br />April inspection report. This inspector could not tell from the lack of seedling emergence if this <br />area was reseeded as well Loosening of the surface should aid in vegetation establishment and <br />water infiltration. Yellow sweetclover and Avena atua (oats) were observed on this RDA top <br />area. <br />~rh the exception of the rill at the NE corner of the RDA, Rill formation of the backf~lled slopes <br />does not appear to be progressing. <br />Careful observation of the vegetation establishment needs to continue this growing season. As <br />committed to in the permit, the Division will make a determination in 1997 regarding the <br />establishment of vegetation. Perennials are very sparse and constitute a very small proportion of <br />the limited vegetation that has established on the site at this time. <br />