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2.0 Evaluation of Reclamation Success for Phase III Bond Release <br />• In 2005, herbaceous vegetation production on the Irrigated Pasture Reclaimed Area (1,822 lbs/acre) <br />represents 90.28 percent of the production value sampled on the AVF Reference Area (2,018 lbs/acre), <br />thereby satisfying the success standard specified in the permit. Tables A-14 and A-25 display the wet and <br />dry weights per life form for all herbaceous vegetation clipped during the 2005 sampling event on the <br />AVF Reference and Irrigated Pasture Reclaimed Areas. <br />In 2006, the herbaceous vegetation production sampled on the Irrigated Pasture Reclaimed Area (496 <br />lbs/acre) exceeds the production value sampled on the AVF Reference Area (333 lbs/acre), thereby <br />satisfying the success standard specified in the permit. Tables A-19 and A-20 display the wet and dry <br />weights per life form for all herbaceous vegetation clipped during the 2006 sampling event on the AVF <br />Reference and Irrigated Pasture Reclaimed Areas. <br />Survey results indicate a permanent, self-sustaining stand of vegetation established on the Irrigated <br />Pasture Reclaimed Area. Analysis of revegetation standards indicates a favorable recommendation for <br />approval of year 10 Phase III bond release for the Irrigated Pasture Reclaimed Area at the Golden Eagle <br />Mine. <br />2.1.2. Rangeland Areas <br />Vegetation on the Rangeland Reclaimed Areas and Rangeland Reference Area was randomly sampled on <br />June 20 through June 23, 2005, and July 11 through July 16, 2006. Vegetative cover, herbaceous biomass <br />production, and species diversity were evaluated. The results of the study are summarized below. A <br />detailed description of the study and analyses is presented in Appendix A. <br />The approved reclamation success standards for the Rangeland Reclaimed Areas, as specified by the <br />• CDMG during permitting for the Golden Eagle Mine, are 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 standard 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 />Shrub Component - Up to 5% of the species composition will be shrubs or, alternatively, the area will <br />support 2 to 4 shrubs per meter squared. <br />The 2005 sampling event determined that cover values on the Rangeland Reclaimed Areas (28.0 percent) <br />exceeded the cover values for the Rangeland Reference Area (19.7 percent), thereby satisfying the <br />success standard specified in the permit. Tables A-6 and A-7 summarize the mean absolute cover and <br />relative cover values of all the vegetative species captured during the 2005 sampling event on the <br />Rangeland Reference and Reclaimed Areas. <br />The year 2006 cover values on the Rangeland Reclaimed Areas (14.5 percent) are determined to exceed <br />the cover values for the Rangeland Reference Area (12.8 percent), thereby satisfying the success standard <br />specified in the permit. Tables A-10 and A-11 summarize the mean absolute cover and relative cover <br />• <br />2215 GoldenEagle PH3BOND 2006 3-10-08.doc 2-2