2009-05-19_REPORT - C1981014 - Laserfiche WebLink

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2008 Rerlamatlorr Report SOLDthfleld X9117P• areas, and the west portion of the refuse disposal area that were revegetated in 2003. The remaining previously revegetated areas (pre 2003) lie primarily on the east and mid portion of the refuse disposal area. The more recent areas seeded and mulched in 2003 exhibited good vegetative conditions considering the relatively dry winter & spring seasons during 2007 - 2008. Midsummer monsoon rains during 2008 then brought instant improvement & vigor to the vegetation. Revegetated areas done in earlier years on the refuse pile and in the Loadout Area show effective establishment and erosion control. The Loadout Area was seeded to the permanent revegetation seed mixture in 1997. Poor initial vegetative establishment resulted in the decision to reseed the entire Loadout Area in 1999. Limited topsoil availability and extended drought conditions had hindered effective vegetative reestablishment in the Loadout Area. Through ongoing discussions with the DRMS, limited interseeding (25 percent) of the reclaimed Loadout areas was approved by the DMG (DRMS), with the understanding that this limited work would not affect the current liability schedule (10-year period initiated by secondary reseeding in 1999). IME, Inc., sample/monitored the Loadout site during the summer season of 2006. Results of data obtained from the monitoring is included in the Revegetation Monitoring Report for Reclaimed Areas in the section titled "Loadout Reclamation". EFCI has revegetated a cumulative total of approximately 82.1 acres at the Mine Site and Loadout areas as shown on the attached Annual Reclamation Report form. Maps accompanying this report show all revegetated areas, with the exception of approximately 1.5 acres of minor road segments revegetated in 2003 at the North Well and Corley Well areas. The previously revegetated areas are shown on Map 1, Mine Site Reclamation, Map 2, Ancillary Facility Areas Reclamation, and Map 3, Loadout Area Reclamation. As previously stated during 2006, Mr. Kent Crofts of I.M.E., Inc., did the interim revegetation sampling and reporting at the mine site, the refuse pile area and at the Loadout site. According to the conclusion of the report, as had been recommended by the Division, 15 cover transects, 30 production transect and 30 shrub density transects were sampled on each reclaimed site. Comparisons of the various revegetation data required are well detailed in IME's 2006 Monitoring Report. It is IME's opinion that, based on their 2006 interim monitoring with respect to woody plant density for the mine portal area and the warm season species diversity, the existing Permit Revegetation Success Standards should be revised due to inconsistency for comparing vegetation. IME recommends that EFCI submits a Minor Revision to modify the existing revegetation success standards in the permit document. Discussions for the modification are ongoing. Weed Control Activities One small plot of Knappweed has been identified adjacent to and at the west edge of the parking lot site in the eastern portion of the Vento property. The agent with the Fremont County Weed control