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2.0-Evaluation ojRec(amation Success jor Phase III Bond Release <br />The approved reclamation success standards for the Rangeland Reclaimed Areas, as specified by the <br />CDMG during permitting for the Golden Eagle Mine, aze as follows: <br />Cover -Vegetation cover will be restored on the Rangeland Reclaimed Areas to 90 percent of the cover <br />on the Rangeland Reference Area. <br />Production -Herbaceous vegetation production will be restored on the Rangeland Reclaimed Areas to <br />90 percent of the herbaceous production on the Rangeland Reference Area. <br />Species Diversity -The diversity standazd for the Rangeland Reclaimed Areas, as stated in the permit, <br />calls for the establishment of two cool-season grasses, two warm-season grasses, and one perennial forb, <br />each with a relative cover value between 5 and 60 percent. <br />Cover values on the Rangeland Reclaimed Areas (32.5 percent) are determined to exceed the cover values <br />for the Rangeland Reference Area (19.7 percent), thereby satisfying the success standard specified in the <br />permit. <br />Vegetative production on the Rangeland Reclaimed Areas (1,373 lbs/acre) exceeds the production values <br />for the Rangeland Reference Area (357 Ibs/acre), thereby satisfying the success standard specified in the <br />permit. <br />Analysis of species diversity shows that the reclaimed aeeas satisfy the standazd established in the permit. <br />On the Rangeland Reclaimed Areas, three cool-season grasses, two warm-season grasses, and' one <br />perennial forb are present at between 5 and 60 percent relative cover. <br />Table A-3 summarizes the relative cover values of the most abundant vegetative species sampled during <br />2005. A complete list of the species sampled, including mean absolute cover and relative cover values, is <br />presented on Tables A-8 and A-10. <br />Comments received from CDMG following submittal of the 2005 Vegetation Sampling Protocol detailed <br />concerns that the randomly determined transect locations did not result in tcansects being located in some <br />of the individual reclaimed areas. Specifically, Reclamation Parcels G, I, J, L, M, N, O, and P, did not <br />have transects conducted within them. Figure 3 displays the location of individual reclamation areas <br />within the Rangeland Reclaimed Area. Visual observation of the omitted areas detemuned that the cover <br />and species diversity occurring in these areas aze not significantly different from the aeeas containing <br />transects, with one exception. Reclamation Area J has one oval-shaped patch, measuring approximately <br />35 feet by 20 feet, dominated by western ragweed. Basin sprayed this infestation with herbicide during <br />the spring of 2005 and the plants in this area were observed to be wilting and dying at the time of the <br />sampling event. Basin also spot-applied herbicide to individual Canada thistle plants throughout the <br />Rangeland Reclaimed Area. <br />Survey results indicate a permanent, self-sustaining stand of vegetation established on the Rangeland <br />Reclaimed Areas. Analysis of revegetation standazds indicates a favorable recommendation for approval <br />of year 9 Phase III bond release for the Rangeland Reclaimed Areas at the Golden Eagle Mine. <br />292 - Goldrn Eagle Phase ^1(10.07.05) 2-5 <br />