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8 <br />The bond release sampling was conducted in compliance with permit and regulatory requirements, with <br />statistical sample adequacy demonstrated in accordance with the Division's bond release guideline. <br />Reports included with the bond release application demonstrate that the cover of non-noxious, perennial <br />vegetation was well in excess of the approved 23% standard in both years. In fact, non noxious, perennial <br />cover sample mean was 34.9% in 1992, 42% in 1997, and 40.6% in 1998. <br />The entire disturbed area was included in the "sample universe" in 1997 and 1998, with the exception <br />of the permanent impoundment and the road segment approved for retention. Road fill slopes and pond <br />embankment slopes had been seeded in the early 1980's or previously, and the cover in these locations <br />has effectively controlled erosion. The road surface was ripped and seeded with a perennial grass mix <br />in 1997, to further stabilize the site and inhibit establishment of undesireable vegetation. The road will <br />still allow for future access into the site. <br />Bond release sampling was observed by DMG on July 1, 1997. The following paragraph is from the <br />inspection report issued July 9, 1997. <br />Matthew Hayes of Hayes Environmental Services, consultant to the operator, was <br />at the site conducting vegetation cover sampling for final bond release. This is the 1st <br />year of the 2 consecutive years required for revegetation success demonstration. <br />Sampling appeared to be in accordance with the approved permit. The site was being <br />sampled as a single parcel, with a simple random design implemented using a defined <br />map grid to randomly select transect starting locations. Sample observations were made <br />using an ocular point frame to record cover at 50 points along each 25m transect. <br />Sampling procedures appear to be well defined, consistently applied, and documented. <br />Mr. Hayes noted in his 1998 report that "twenty species were sampled, four of which contributed higher <br />than 3°!° relative cover. The community appears to be very healthy and balanced, and far exceeds the <br />actual DMG requirements for bond release." Summarized cover data in Table 2 of the 1998 report show <br />the dominant perennial species to be fourwing saltbush, a native shrub, and bluebunch wheatgrass, a <br />native bunchgrass. Western wheatgrass, a native sodfotming grass, and basin wildrye, a native <br />bunchgrass, also contribute in excess of 3% relative cover. The relative cover of annual species <br />(approximately 17%), is similar to the annual component documented in the sagebrush community <br />sampled in 1983. Cheatgrass (A~tisantha tectonun) and Japanese brome (Bromus japonict~s), are the <br />dominant annual species. Absolute and relative cover of perennial grasses is much greater in the <br />reclaimed area than was documented for the sagebrush community. Three noxious weed species were <br />sampled in 1997 (Russian knapweed, whitetop, and bindweed), and hvo were sampled in 1998 (whitetop <br />and bindweed). Relative cover of noxious species was 5.1%, in 1997, and 1.7%, in 1998. <br />Vegetation data and narrative conclusions contained in the 1997 and 1998 sampling reports were <br />consistent with observations made during the bond release inspection. Most of the reclaimed area is <br />visually dominated by a relatively dense stand of fourwing saltbush, with a vigorous understory of <br />perennial grass, dominated by bluebunch wheatgrass. In some areas, cheatgrass is a significant <br />component of the understory, and is the dominant species in the reclaimed powder magazine area (as well <br />