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relative cover. In the 2007 sampling, there were five cool season grasses and two forb species <br />with the most dominate species contributing 16.38% of the total relative cover. The revegetation <br />monitoring confirms that for both sampling periods, the species diversity standard has been met. <br />The woody plant density (WPD) success standard is composed of two components. The first <br />component is comprised of 400 stems per acre measured during the cover data collection. The <br />second component is comprised of concentrated shrub clumps. Three shrub clumps, SC-A-99, <br />SC-D-98, SC-D-99, were included in the lands requested for Phase III bond release under this <br />application (SL-10). The shrub clumps are composed of transplanted shrub pads. If pads exhibit <br />10 or more live shrubs per pad, the pad is considered alive. If fifty-percent or more of the shrub <br />pads within a clump are considered alive, the clump is considered successful. The 2008 sample <br />data found 75.8% live pads within the clumps, while the 2007 sample data recorded 67.09% live <br />pads within the clumps. The shrub clumps and woody plant densities were considered successful <br />for A, D& H Pits RS A&B 96-98 bond release block. This is the only bond release block in the <br />SL-10 application that has a woody plant density standard. <br />Based on the data presented in the two reports prepared by IME, the revegetation at the Trapper <br />Mine is deemed successful. The reports correlate with what was observed by the Division during <br />the on-site bond release inspection conducted October 13-16, 2008. Based upon the Phase III <br />Bond Release Application and the field inspection, the Division finds that the Phase III <br />vegetation requirements for Trapper Mine meet the revegetation success criteria approved in the <br />permit. <br />Post Mining Land Use <br />The post-mining land use for the Trapper Mine is rangeland. The reclaimed lands have <br />vegetative cover composed of a variety of grasses, fortis, and woody shrubs. The seasonality and <br />forage characteristics of the vegetative species appear suitable for the approved post-mining land <br />use of rangeland. No weed problems or significant bare areas were found. <br />The revegetation success standards were based on what would be necessary for the land to <br />properly function as rangeland. Based on the achievement of the requirements, the Division <br />finds that the revegetation on the Trapper Mine reclaimed areas is capable of supporting post- <br />mining land use. <br />Evaluation of Hydrologic Impacts Required by Section 3.03.2(2) <br />Rule 3.03.2(2) requires the Division to evaluate hydrologic impacts prior to releasing reclamation <br />liability. This evaluation must consider whether pollution of surface or subsurface water is <br />occurring and the probability of future occurrence of such pollution. The Division's evaluation is <br />summarized below. <br />Trapper Mine Page 9 November 17, 2007 <br />Phase III Bond Release