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BdaW art cammeata m the aupectim The cmmeats dude ducwaim of obrcrvatioo~ made dune the nryeclm Commeoq al,o dnrt3e ear eatvicemeut actiam taYm du~the oapectim and the tun a taidmce mppueoQ the enfineemenL atom Tftis was a partial inspection which was conducted in order to estimate the vegetative cover and general condition of vegetation in the portion of Center Ridge for which the operator has applied for final bond release. The operator has submitted a request for release from iabiity on a 15.8 acre portion of Cerrter Ridge which was roseeded 1981. The operator conducted vegetation samping in this aroa during the week of July 14. Compertsons of cover estimates made during this Inspection can only be made to the operator's estimates with certain qualifications. These estimates were made nearly three months alter the operators study was done. At the time of this inspection, grasses and many (orbs on the site wero sill green, due to the unust~tiy wet weather this summer. However, most oT the alfalfa has either been graced or bst its leaves. Corer was estimated with the point Intercept method, by making two observations at one-foot iNervals akxrg randomly ku~ted 50-foaR long transacts using an ocular point frame. Observations were made on either side of the transact fine, perpendicular to the transact. Eight transacts were boated and oriented randomly within the 15.8 acre parcel. Cover was measured by recording point intersects by fife form (grasses, (orbs, stvubs and noxious weeds) and, fitter, rock and baro ground. A summary of the cover estmates made during this Inspectlon aro: Average Cover Std. Dev. Max Min Grass 44.5 Forbs 18.7 Total Veg Cover 81.2 13.4 80 51 Litter 25.0 Rodr 3.2 Bare Ground 10.8 A 90% confidence interval around this 81.2% average estimate of vegetation cover extends from 52.2% to 70.2%. A 90% confidence interval around the mean vegetation cover value estimated by the operator (78.8%) in July ranges from 71.8% to 81.996. Since these confidence intervals do not overlap, one could conclude that the cover estimates derived by the operator and the Division aro not the same, with 90% confidence. However, as noted above, the studies were done throe months apart and the condition of alfelha (a major component of the vegetative community) was significantly ditiertent in July and October. If a second year of vegetation sampling is done in 1998 as part of the bond release, the Division should attempt to do concurrent vegetation studies, K possible. In the lliture, the operator is encouraged to make point Intercept observations based on a vertical projection rather than the method used during their 1997 study. Success standards for vegetative cover arc irterpr~ed by the Division to be vertical coverage of the ground. The success standard for vegetathro cover specified in the mine permit on this portion of Center Ridge is 42% five cover. The results of the operators and the Division's samping indicate that We cover on the area sigNficarrlly exceeds the success standaM. Dtrirrg this inspection, no erosion problems were observed, Vegetative cover was relatively wiforrn, Some smai areas of lesser cover were observed but, even In these aroas, there Is so much fitter present that sxpostdro of baro ground is mlNmal. The vigor of the vegetation was exceierd fhls year. Thera was evidence of substantial use of the area by efic Some Canadian thistle is present in the area tort, no infestations were observed. No other noxious weeds were observed.