REV92482

• Permit No: C1981026
• IBM Index Class Name: Revision
• Doc Date: 9/7/1995
• Doc Name: INTRODUCTION
• Type & Sequence: SL2
• Media Type: D
• Archive: No

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EVALUATION OF RECLAMATION SUCCESS FOR
PHASE II BOND RELEASE
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The requirement for Phase II bond release
are replacement of topsoil according to the
approved topsoil replacement plan,
successful establishment of a diverse and
permanent vegetative cover as .described in
the reclamation plan, control of erosion
from the reclaimed area, and reestablishment
of essential hydrologic functions on alluvial
valley floors (DMG 1995). No alluvial
valley floors were present on the site prior
to mining so 'this criterion does nOt apply to
the Canadian Strip Mine. Achievement of
the other three requisites was documented by
sampling topsoil depth over the reclaimed
area, surveying the established vegetation
for cover and species composition, and
demonstrating that the reclaimed areas are
not contributing suspended solids to the
streamflow or runoff outside the permit area
in excess of pre_mitring levels. Each
condition and its supporting documentation
are discussed in the following sections.
sample per 5 acres. Sample depths ranged
from 0.5 feet to 1.5 feet. The average
topsoil depth was 11 inches (SD = 3.21).
Average topsoil depth, based on the
sampling program, exceeds the 0.5-foot goal
for topsoil replacement. Therefore, topsoil
replacement depths are considered adequate
for Phase II bond release. The DMG , /
approved topsoil depth in the previous !/
partial Phase II release application in 1991
(DMG 1991).
VEGETATIVE COVER
Vegetation on the reclaimed are s and
reference area was systematically ampled
during August, 1995. Vegetative cover,
shrub density, and species composite n were
evaluated. The results of the s dy are
summarized below. A detailed des ription
of the smdy•and analyses are pres nted in
Appendix A.
TOPSOIL REPLACEMENT
After the backfilling and recontouring
activities were completed, topsoil from the
storage stockpiles was distributed over the
disturbed areas according to 'the topsoil
replacement plan. Topsoil was distributed
so that the average depth over the entire
reclaimed area would be at least 0.5 feet,
the minimum depth considered acceptable by
the DMG (DMG 1987b).
To verify the adequacy of topsoil
redistribution, topsoil depth was sampled by
the DMG during November 1987 (DMG
1987a). Twenty sample locations were
selected over the 1987-reclaimed areas
(Figure 2). Consequently, sampling effort
was greater than the minimum of one
Survey results indicate permanen , self-
sustaining vegetation covered the re laimed
area. Mean total vegetative cover on the
1987-reclaimed area was 44.5 ercent.
Mean vegetative cover on the refere ce area
was 46.0 percent. Cover on the re laimed
area represents 96.5 percent ofthe r ference
area which is within the 90' percent
acceptable Phase II criteria.
Analysis of the species present indicates the
area is dominated by a variety of p rennial
species. Perennial grasses, for s, and
shrubs comprised approximately 100 percent
of the mean vegetative cover n the
reclaimed area. Analysis of the iversity
standard is provided in Appendix
' 92-01\Bond\09/07/95 6