1990-10-05_GENERAL DOCUMENTS - C1981026

Home Browse Search

PROPOSED DECISION - Canadian Strip/Phase II Bond Release October 1 , 1990 Page 6 35% of the total diversity and forbs will comprise 1% to 5% of the total diversity. Of the three principal cool season grasses, no species will comprise greater than 40% in relative importance. Cool season grasses are the predominant species at the site. Forbs do contribute between 1% and 5% of the total diversity, but none is considered a principal species. One shrub, Artemesia tridentata, is found on the 1979-1981 reclaim as 1 .3% relativ over. There were no shrubs found by Greystone during 1990 sampling conducted in the 1987 reclaim. Canadian Strip has some distance to go in achieving their species diversity standard. Woody plant interseeding this fall will promote establishment of a community which could meet the species diversity standard. Topsoil depth samples were acquired from twenty locations on the reclaimed area. Sample depths ranged from 6" to 18". The average topsoil depth was 11" . Permit application requirements indicated that a minimum of 6" of topsoil be replaced throughout the site. This standard was achieved. To summarize, Wyoming Fuel provided modeling data which documented that erosion from the site was less than that which would have occurred pre-mining. Field observations, utilizing the BLM Erosion Condition Classification System, suggested that existing erosional features would not be disruptive to the post-mining land use. Vegetation data from the 1981 -1982 reclaim met the vegetation cover standard. Topsoil thicknesses throughout_the site met the minimum topsoil depth requirement found in the permit. The Division recommends that the '79-'81 area of the Canadian Strip Mine be granted Phase II Bond Release under the standard criteria. The 1987 area shall also be granted Phase II Bond Release based on the considerable success of the vegetative cover and the demonstration that erosion at the site is less than that found pre-mining, ensuring topsoil protection at the site. The remaining reclamation work at the site is of low difficulty. Outstanding reclamation projects include: 1 ) removal and revegetation of the three sediment ponds and their spillways; 2) sealing of five monitoring holes; 3) removal of the fence around the disturbed area and 4) re-establishment of a quarter-mile of BLM grazing allotment fence.