GENERAL33894 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

Weed control has been an ongoing effort at this mine site. Pockets of Canadian thistle were apparent during the inspection. No large infestations were observed. Mr. Kobli[z explained that the fences which prevented access onto the reclaimed lands would be relocated at the request of the BLM. The new fence locations would reestablish the original BLM grazing allotments. As of November 17, 1998, the fences had been relocated in accordance with the BLM request as confirmed by Jim Perry of the BLM in Kremmling. Greystone collected the vegetation data for Slurco Corporation. Data was collected at appropriate times in the summer of 1997 and 1998. Results of the vegetation study are presented in Appendix A of the bond release application. For cover and production, Greystone collected data to achieve sample adequacy according to the DMG's 1995 bond release guideline. Sample adequacy was achieved in all cases. Reclaimed area cover and production data was compared to the cover and production of the big sagebrush reference area. In all but two cases, the mean cover and production of the reclaimed area exceeded the mean cover and production of the reference area. In the other two cases, data was analyzed using the classic null hypothesis. Data analysis showed that the mean cover and production in the reclaimed area was not less than ninety percent of the mean reference area cover and production with ninety percent statistical confidence. Results of the cover and production sampling are shown below. Cover and production are deemed successful. Mean Cover (percent) Mean Production (pounds/acre) 97-Reference Area 51.47 380.43 97-Phase I, II, III 51.68 706.91 97-Phase IV 48.00 830.48 98-Reference Area 30.47 353.95 98-Phase I, R, III 28.73 775.76 98-Phase IV 31.33 810.02 Data collected for stem density was not normally distributed. Therefore, nonparametric statistics were used to analyze the data, and the reverse null hypothesis was used to test reclamation success. The woody stem density standard has been set at 500 stems/acre. The lower 90% confidence limit on the median was 581 stems/acre in 1997 and 774 stems/acre in 1998. Because the lower 90% confidence limit on the median for 1997 and 1998 is greater than the standard, woody stem density is deemed successful. The Canadian Mine species diversity was achieved as shown in the bond release application. The reclaimed areas have at least three cool season grasses with a minimum cover of three percent relative cover, one forb species with a minimum relative cover of one percent and two shrub species. The dominant herbaceous species are western wheatgrass, slender wheatgrass, Sandberg bluegrass and Canadian Strip Mine q November I8, 1998 Permit No. C-81-026 Final Bond Release