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18.68% difference in favor of the reclaimed azeas. As the groundcover in the reclaimed areas <br />exceeds that of the reference area, it follows that contribution of suspended solids is less from the <br />reclaimed areas. <br />Reclaimed lands appeazed not to be contributing suspended solids to streamflow or runoff <br />outside the permit area in excess of premining levels. Documentation submitted with the <br />Application indicated that percent cover was 16.5% more than required in 2000, and 18.7% more <br />in 2001, to meet this standard. There was no runoff or evidence of pollution of surface water, and <br />no visual evidence of subsurface water pollution, from areas of the Application at the time of the <br />on-site inspection. There did not appeaz to be any degradation of vegetation cover described in <br />earlier Phase II Bond Release Findings, and no erosion features were noted at the site. There were <br />no indications of future occurrences of pollution from the revegetated areas. <br />Restoration of Hydrologic Function <br />No adverse impact to the Alluvial Valley Floor (AVF) at the loadout has been observed since <br />complete removal of the conveyor. Restoration of the hydrologic function of the AVF was <br />documented during the Phase II Bond Release Inspection of September 11, 2001, by a visual <br />observation that flood irrigation had been re-established. <br />Diversity <br />Diversity is not a requirement for Phase II Bond Release. However, at the time of the SL-04 <br />inspection, the Division evaluated the vegetation data and determined that the site was <br />approaching the requirements for successful diversity. <br />Phase III <br />Of the 63.2 acres eligible for a future bond release following SL-04 for the-North Thompson <br />Creek Mines and Loadout, 58.9 acres aze proposed for Phase III Bond Release under this <br />proposed decision. With the exception of permanent structures and features (non-vegetated <br />azeas), reclamation success standards for cover, production, and diversity aze applicable to the <br />58.9 acres. As mentioned previously, a waiver of the reclamation success standard for woody <br />stem density was approved for this Permit in 1988. <br />Cover <br />Adequate cover was demonstrated in this application to support a Phase III bond release. <br />Documentation submitted with the application indicated that vegetation cover on the reclaimed <br />areas in 2000 was 46.6%, over half again (172%) of that required. Vegetation cover on the <br />reclaimed areas in 2001 was documented as 54.4%, nearly twice (199%) of that required. These <br />results were visually assessed during the August 6, 2002, inspection. <br />SL-O5, C-81-025, March 24, 2003 <br />Page 18 of 26 Pages <br />