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1 EVALUATION OF RECLAMATION SUCCESS FOR PHASE III BOND RELEASE The requirements for Phase III bond release are aten-year minimum liability period since initial seeding, documentation of revegetation success criteria, proof of post mining land use capability, and analysis of effects to surface and groundwater quantity and quality (CDMG, Guidelines Regarding Selected Coal Mine Issues, 1995). No alluvial valley floors or prime farmlands were present on the site prior to mining so these criterion do not apply to the Canadian Strip Mine. Achievement of each requisite was documented by completion of the ten-year liability period since initial seeding; surveying the established vegetation for cover, production, species diversity, and shrub density standazds; conducting a grazing program to prove the sustainable use of rangeland; and analysis of water quality and quantity data collected from the site over the past 17 years. Each condition and its supporting documentation are discussed in the following sections. MANAGEMENT Post mining management of the reclaimed areas at the Canadian Strip Mine have involved minor revegetation activities and weed control. Revegetation activities have involved minor interseeding of erosional areas by hand broadcasting and raking of the approved seed mixture. In 1993, an annual weed control program was implemented and has been conducted in each subsequent calender year. Figure 2 shows all reclamation activities that have occurred at the Canadian Strip Mine. No livestock grazing was permitted on the reclaimed areas during the first eight years of the liability period and no irrigation has been utilized to enhance revegetation. POST-MINING LAND USE The reclaimed areas were designated as a dual purpose land use to include both rangeland and wildlife habitat. The rangeland classification is consistent with the historical land use and Permit designation. A seed mixture was developed to feature vegetation species that would benefit both livestock and accompanying wildlife and remain consistent with the outlying sagebrush-grassland vegetation community. The vegetation now adapted within the reclaimed areas may be classified as a grassland shrub mosaic. In general, big sagebrush is found throughout the reclaimed areas, however, the boundary of the Permit area is experiencing an edge effect with a noticeably higher abundance of "volunteer" big sagebrush. Perennial cool season grasses dominate the reclaimed area with western wheatgrass as the predominant grass, and various other wheatgrass, bluegrass, and needlegrass species being intermixed throughout the Permit area. Various forbs and shrubs also are a part of the vegetation community within the reclaimed parcels. 98bondp3.091\August 4, 1998 6 ~ .