GENERAL35561 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

. 24 through July 27, 2000 for the reclaimed azeas (dates provided by Colowyo, field note sheets on file at the Colowyo Coal Mine). Conclusions of the adequacy of vegetation on the azeas sampled are presented on page 11 of the Application. Ninety percent of the (weighted mean) herbaceous cover of the reference areas (65.89%) was 59.3%. Herbaceous cover of the reclaimed areas was 75.67%. Therefore, acceptable herbaceous cover was demonstrated to meet cover requirements for Phase II bond release (75.67% > 59.3%). The vegetation observed during the on-site inspection in the East Pit area was dominated by perennial grasses. Grass species noted in this area included Basin wildrye (Leymus cinereus), Mountain Brome (Bromus marginatus), Western wheatgrass (Pascopyrum smithii), Intermediate wheatgrass (Elytrigia intermedia ssp. intermedia), Sheep fescue (Fesiuca ovina), Kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis), Crested wheatgrass (Agropyron cristata), and Cheatgrass (Bromus rectorum). Forb species were present on the site in lesser degree than the grasses. Forb species readily noted included Cicer milkvetch (Asrragalus titer), Wild onion (Allium sp.), Blue flax (Linum Lewisii), Palmer penstemon (Pentstemon Palmeri) and an occasional Tumble mustard (Sisymbrium altissimium). Shrub species were only razely observed outside of the shrub enclosure azeas and rarely were any noxious weed species observed. The Section 16 Pit reclaimed area is located approximately 600 feet higher in elevation and further south than the East Pit reclaimed area. The portion of the Section 16 Pit that is included in this bond • release application was reclaimed and seeded from 1993 through 1995. This portion of the mine receives heavier snowfall than the East Pit area, and remains snow covered later in the spring. The Section 16 Pit reclaimed area has a higher abundance of Mountain brome, and more forbs present than seen in the East Pit reclamation. Both the grasses and forbs are lazger and more robust than the same species in the East Pit reclaimed azea. Similar species are noted in the Section 16 Pit reclaimed area as noted in the East Pit reclaimed azea. Additional species noted in the Section 16 Pit reclaimed azea include Yarrow (Achillea millefolium) and Russian wildrye (Psathyrostachys juncea). Shrubs aze observed more regulazly in this area. Shrub species noted include serviceberry (Amelanchier alnifolia), snowberry (Symphoricarpus oreophilus), Wood's rose (Rosa woodsii), and Rabbitbrush (Chrysonthamnus nauseousus). Sagebrush (Artemesia tridentata) was encountered on the east side of the Section 16 fill reclaimed azea. Vegetation on the portion of the West Pit fill included in this Phase II bond release request was reclaimed and seeded in 1995. West Pit fill vegetation is heavily dominated by graminoid species. Species present in this location are similar to those encountered in the East Pit reclaimed azea and to the Section 16 Pit reclaimed area. More thistle aze observed throughout the West Pit fill area. Weed control measures need to be enacted on the West Pit fill reclamation. Vegetation is in good condition, with the exception of thistle and houndstongue, with no evidence of erosional features. The second bench of the West Pit fill had recently been cleaned and reseeded, and at the time of the inspection was relatively bare. Even though the West Pit Fill reclamation looked to have a higher percentage of grasses and appeared less diverse than the other two reclaimed areas, analyses of the data by transect location does not show any significant difference between the West Pit Fill vegetative data and the . C-81-019, SL-03, 15 August 2001 Page 7 of 10 Pages