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<br />Allen S. Weaver <br />Page 2 <br />October 14, 1997 <br /> <br />mine. TR-19 requested a bond reduction for two structures that were approved to remain as permanent in <br />TR-17. TR-20 approved an armored extension of refuse collection ditch no. 1. <br />The Division's evaluation of revegetation success at the mine is well documented through numerous site <br />inspections by at least four different inspectors over the last two years. The following are brief excerpts <br />from some of these inspections. <br />2/13/96 "The Division is concerned that the [inability to] crimp the mulch into the top portions of <br />the refuse pile may be indicative ofa plant growth media too compacted to allow root <br />penetration in these areas: ' <br />2/23/96 "Mulch has blown off about %: of the top of the refuse pile:' <br />4/3/96 "very sparse vegetation" and "sloped areas show signs of legumes but not grasses" <br />5/24/96 "The vegetation planted last fall is now coming put (?) but to date, the only plants of any <br />significance are yellow sweet clover and wheat. None of these plants are in the approved <br />seed mix." <br />6/19/96 "Backfilled RDA slopes that received no topsoil replacement show little sign of <br />vegetation reestablishment. No perennial grasses could be discerned on these slopes. The <br />topsoiled RDA slopes...have considerable stands of yellow sweet clover and volunteer <br />wheat. The absence of these adventitious species on the untopsoiled slopes concerns the <br />Division that vegetation establishment on these slopes will not succeed" and "Careful <br />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:' <br />7/24/96 "The vegetation planted last fall is now growing but the south facing slopes appear to be <br />very sparse:' <br />8/30/96 The grasses to date have not faired well but this is only the first growing season and it is <br />possible the may come up better this year." <br />11/20/96 "vegetation on the site is fair to poor, depending on the area of reclamation. The <br />vegetative cover on the refuse area appeazs better than the steep, south-facing NE portion <br />of the disturbed area." <br />3/12/97 "Sprouting of perennial grasses was noted;...vegetation varies from relatively good where <br />topsoil was re-applied to spazse in the Mine 2 highwall area." <br />4/17/97 "Sprouting of cicer milkvetch was noted on the reclaimed area...Due to excellent spring <br />moisture, 1997 may be a good yeaz to evaluate revegetative efforts and the need for <br />interseeding." <br />5/22/97 "Vetch and clover were noted on the steeper slopes with sparse grasses." <br />6/11/97 "The site is beginning to show signs of establishment of seeded species. Vetch seems to <br />dominate...Cicerrnilkvetch is [prevalent] throughout the slope...this species currently <br />