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stream flow or runoff outside the permit area as untreated drainage from the <br />natural surrounding pre-mining area. The factors that contribute to this <br />demonstration are; 1) The mine is vegetated with a grassland community which <br />is more resistant to erosion than the natural oak brush community that has little <br />understory; and 2) The reclaimed area is more resistant to erosion because the <br />reclaimed slopes are flatter than the original slopes. <br />4. 10 Year Liability Period: The disturbed areas associated with the Blue Ribbon <br />Mine were reclaimed during 1985 and 1986. In the fall of 1985 the face of the <br />mine bench was seeded and mulched. In the fall of 1986 the remainder of the <br />mine site was seeded and mulched. During 1988 and 1989 two small unstable <br />areas on the face of the mine bench were repaired, seeded and mulched. During <br />1993 two areas of the bench face slumped. Both areas were repaired, seeded <br />and mulched during 1993. Because of the face slumps, the 10 year liability was <br />reinitiated in 1993. The vegetation was successfully sampled during 2006 and <br />2007 during years 13 and 14 of the bond liability period. <br />5. Postmining Land use Achieved: The postmining land use is wildlife habitat, <br />grazing and recreation. The postmining land uses have been achieved. Wildlife <br />graze on the established vegetation during the spring and fall. A local rancher <br />frequently turns his sheep out to use the Blue Ribbon mine and the surrounding <br />area for spring grazing. The site is occasionally used for recreation in the form of <br />hunting and camping. The following excerpts from the DRMS inspection reports <br />are provided to document various uses: <br />a. DRMS 4-28-94 There was recent evidence of elk and deer on the mine <br />site. <br />b. DRMS 5-9-95 Wildlife use appears to be very heavy as evidenced by <br />the heavy grazing and numerous deer and elk droppings. <br />C. DRMS 11-29-95 It is evident cows have grazed the site. <br />d. DRMS 4-16-96 Considerable evidence of deer and elk use at the site. <br />e. DRMS 5-15-99 Campers have created a burn ring by the dry log in the <br />loadout area. <br />f. DRMS 5-19-97 Evidence of cattle grazing. <br />g. DRMS 10-20-97 Significant current grazing of vegetation on site is <br />apparent. <br />h. DRMS 11-18-98 Cattle grazing. <br />2 of 3 7/08