REV88839

• Permit No: C1981023
• IBM Index Class Name: Revision
• Doc Date: 1/26/2004
• Doc Name: Letter & Bond Release Application
• From: Greystone
• To: DMG
• Type & Sequence: SL5
• Media Type: D
• Archive: No

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 Coa]
Mine Bond Release Issues, 1995). The year 2003 sampling event initiates the first of the last two years of
the ten-year liability period. Sampling to be conducted in 2004 will satisfy completion of the ten year
bond liability period. Achievement of the remaining requisite was documented by surveyiug the
established vegetation for cover, production, and species diversity standards; proving sustainable use of
the Dryland Reclaimed Areas due to comparison with pre-mining baseline data; and analysis of water
quality and quantity data collected from the site over a 20 year period. Each condition and its supporting
documentation are discussed in the following sections.
REVEGETATION SUCCESS
Dryland Areas - 2003
Vegetation on the Dryland Reclaimed Areas (East Pit and Barren Ridge/Revision 1) and Dryland
Reference Area was randomly sampled on June 17 through Lune 20, 2003. Vegetative cover, species
composition, and herbaceous biomass production were evaluated. The results of the study are summarized
below. A detailed description of the study and analyses are presented in Appendix A.
The approved reclamation success standards for the AVF Reclaimed Area, as specified by the CDMG
during permitting, for the Chimney Rock Mine are as follows:
Cover -Vegetation cover will be restored on the Dryland Reclaimed Areas to 90 percent of the cover on
the Dryland Reference Area.
Production -Vegetation production will be restored on the Dryland Reclaimed Areas to 90 percent of the
production on the Dryland Reference Area.
Species Diversity -The diversity standard for the Dry]and Reclaimed Areas, as stated iu the permit, calls
for the establishment of two cool-season grasses, one warm-season grass, and either one perennial forb or
one shrub, each with a relative cover value between 3 and 60 percent.
Cover values on the East Pit Reclaimed Area (I 1.9%) and the Barren Ridge/Revision 1 Reclaimed Area
(11.5%) are detern3ined to exceed the cover values for the Dryland Reference Area (5.7%), thereby
satisfying the success standard specified in the permit.
Vegetative production on the East Pit Reclaimed Area (313 ]bs./acre) and the Barren Ridge/Revision 1
Reclaimed Area (226 lbs./acre) exceeds the production values for the Dryland Reference Area (122
lbs./acre), thereby satisfying the success standard specified in the permit.
Analysis of species diversity shows the reclaimed areas satisfy the standard established in the permit. On
the East Pit Reclaimed Area, five cool-season grasses, one wane-season grass, and one peremrial forb are
present at between 3 and 40 percent relative cover. Sampling on the Barren Ridge/Revision 1 Reclaimed
053-Chimney Rock_PH3BON D_2003_(Jan22.04)a 2