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July 27, 2010 C-1981-04I/Roadside Portals MPB <br />REVEGETATION - Rule 4.15 <br />Vegetative Cover; Timing: <br />A portion of the South Portal that is considered "Active Use" area is delineated on Exhibit 6C-A. The "Active <br />Use" areas were not revegetated; non-active use portions of the alternative land <br />use areas (such as Access Road 1 backfill slopes, Access Road 1A fill slopes, and highwall backfill areas) were <br />revegetated to provide a stabilizing vegetative cover. As described earlier in this report the alternative land use <br />vegetated areas will not be required to meet the specific success criteria applicable to reclaimed Wildlife Habitat <br />postmining land use areas. In this case, previously mined lands or areas to be developed for industrial use, the <br />requirements of 4.15. 10 apply. <br />Revegetation was successfully established to control erosion on all non-active use areas. The site was vegetated <br />utilizing the approved seed mixture by hydro seeding or broadcast seeding in smaller isolated areas. Certified <br />weed free mulch containing tackifier was then applied at the rate of approximately 4,000 pounds per acre. The <br />entire South Portal area requested for bond release was successfully revegetated with exception of only minor <br />occurrence of bare spots due to rocky ground conditions. However, these isolated areas were on flat lying ground <br />and no erosion was occurring. Observations verified that ground cover of living plants was adequate to control <br />erosion. See Photograph Number 7, which shows adequately revegetated and stable ground conditions at the <br />reclaimed South Portal. No evidence of rills, gullies, or sheet wash erosion was observed anywhere in the release <br />request area. <br />The slopes in the South Portal Area and above and below the access road supported an effective cover of shrub <br />dominated vegetation (Photograph Number 8). Dominant species were greasewood and fourwing saltbush, with <br />lesser components of winterfat and shadscale saltbush. Perennial grasses were present in some areas, though <br />distribution was patchy. Annual grasses and forbs were also present in various locations in the shrub understory. <br />The vegetative cover on the slopes, combined with the roughened surface, has effectively stabilized the slopes, <br />with no excessive erosion evident. <br />The only noxious weed specie that has been present in isolated portions of the non-active use areas is whitetop. <br />Whitetop has been sprayed on the disturbed and adjacent area in recent years by the operator, and has been <br />successfully controlled on the reclamation. Some annual weed growth was noted during the site inspection but <br />nothing excessive or uncontrolled. The non-active use portions of the site are well vegetated with no significant <br />rills or gullies identified anywhere in the bond release area. <br />RECLAMATION SUCCESS - Rule 4.15, Rule 3: <br />In summary, vegetation establishment is satisfactory to control erosion, and meets the criterion of 4.15.10(2) for <br />the industrial/commercial postmining land use. The site is now actively used by Providence Place, Inc. for the <br />Kokopelli Produce operation and will continue to be actively used by PPI following final bond release. This was <br />evident during the inspection as packing and shipping operations were observed, and the retail fruit stand was open <br />for business (see Photograph Numbers 9 and 10). The industrial/commercial postmine land use has been <br />established and is being implemented at the former South Portal mine facilities area for which bond release is <br />Number of Partial Inspection this Fiscal Year: 1 <br />Number of Complete Inspections this Fiscal Year: 0 <br />Page 5 of 13