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

Evnhialion ofRec(mm~lion Success for Plmse ///Band Release
Area detected four cool-season grasses, one warnrseason grass, and one shrub species ranging between 3
and 60 percent relative cover.
'Cable A-3 summarizes the relative cover values of the most abundant vegetative species sampled during
2003. A complete list of the species sampled, including mean absolute cover and relative cover values, is
presented on Tables A-4, A-6 and A-8.
Survey results indicate a permanent, self-sustaining stand of vegetation established on both Dryland
Reclaimed Areas. Analysis of revegetation standards indicates a favorable recommendation for approval
of year 9 Phase III bond release For the East Pit and Barren Ridge/Revision 1 Reclaimed Areas at
Chimney Rock Mine.
POST-MINING LAND USE
The post-mining land use for the Dryland Reclaimed Areas, as stipulated in [he permit, is dryland pasture
on the East Pit and Barren Ridge areas, and rangelandlwildlife on the Revision 1 area. Permit No. C-81-
023 stipulates that both post-mining land uses have identical reclamation success criteria for vegetative
cover, herbaceous production, and species diversity. Mel Martinez, the surface owner of the East Pit and
Barren Ridge Reclaimed Areas, utilized his property as non-irrigated pastureland for livestock prior to
mining activities. The surface owner of the Revision 1 Reclaimed Area is the U.S. Forest Service.
The dominant grass species detected on the Dryland Reclaimed Areas during the 2003 sampling event is
western wheatgrass. Blue grama, Indian ricegrass, and intermediate whetatgmss also provide a significant
portion of the cover sampled on both reclaimed areas- Hairy golden aster was the most abundant perennial
forb sampled on the East Pit Reclaimed Area and big sagebrush provided about 10 percent of the relative
vegetative cover on [he Barren Ridge/Revision 1 Reclaimed Area.
The range condition of the reclaimed areas is trending toward greater abundance by perennial species.
One primary indicator is that field alyssum is declining rapidly- Sampling on the reclaimed areas during
2001 estimated field alyssum to represent 56.52 percent relative cover on the East Pi[ Reclaimed Area and
19.61 percent on the Barren Ridge/Revision I Reclaimed Area. The corresponding relative cover values
for field alyssum in 2003 are 2.23 percent and 1.03 percent. On the East Pit Reclaimed Area, relative
vegetative cover by approved species increased from 29 percent in 2001 to 61 percent in 2003- Relative
cover by approved species rose from 65 percent in 2001 to 72 percent in 2003 on the Barren
Ridge/Revision 1 Reclaimed Area.
A sustainable vegetative community is established on the Dryland Reclaimed Areas of the Chimney Rock
Mine. The diversity of vegetative species present on the reclaimed areas provides available forage for
domestic livestock and wild ungulates. Kaiser believes the establislnnent of a vegetative community
dominated by desirable, perennial species, proves that the Dryland Reclaimed Areas are capable of
sustaining the approved post-mining land use.
WATER QUALITY AND QUANTITY
Data collected from 6 groundwater wells and 3 surface monitoring sites over a 17-year period is presented
in Appendix B of this report. Kaiser believes that the compiled data proves conclusively that water quality
and quantity are consistent with pre-mining conditions and that operations in no way adversely impacted
water resources on or near the site.
U53-Chimney Rock_PH360ND_2003_(Jan.22.04)a