2010-08-10_REVISION - C1981008 (11)

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2.05.4(2)(e) -3). They gave us their estimates of first cutting crop yield for irrigated cropland in the Nucla area. Since these farmers had no practical way to weigh the bales, the reported yields were based on non -dried bale weights. The approved standard for Irrigated Cropland (previously called Irrigated Hayland) was the average 1st cutting yield from these three farmers. Based on this, a 1st cutting production of 1.84 tons per acre is the target yield at New Horizon Mine. No drying is done for attaining this standard since none was done by the 3 farmers used to determine their yields which is the basis of their letters and consequently the basis of the standard. Drying was employed to determine the 1987 data collected, shown in Table 2.05.4(2)(e) -4, but this data was not used to determine the standard of 1.84 tons per acre. The farmer letters in Attachment 2.05.4(2)(e) -3 were the basis for the standard. During the 1999 baseline vegetation survey (Sec. 2.04.10) the average yield for all pastures was 2.00 tons /acre. The yield ranged from a high of 4.26 tons /acre for highly managed alfalfa to a low of .57 tons /acre for unirrigated grassland. 1999 was a very wet year in western Colorado (177% of normal for 1999 to date, NRCS San Miguel Basin Precipitation Data) and could explain the slight increase in overall production (2.00 tons /acre vs 1.84 tons /acre). Therefore, the 1.84 tons /acre is the standard applied to Irrigated Cropland. Only the 1 s' cut of the filed will be measured against this standard. For a quality standard, the following is proposed: At least 85% of the relative production will be comprised of alfalfa, and no more than 1 % relative production will be comprised of county listed noxious weeds. For the purpose of this demonstration, at statistically adequate production sample of at least 15 clipped quadrats will be taken from the cropland bond release block just prior to the first cut harvest, with alfalfa and county listed noxious weeds bagged, oven dried, and weighed separately from other species. Alternatively, the quality standard can be demonstrated based on a written evaluation from visual assessment by a qualified vegetation or agronomy professional, stating the professional opinion that alfalfa production in the subject bond release block is at least 85% of the total vegetation production, and noxious weed component is less than 1 % of the total vegetation production. The statement of professional opinion will be accompanied by a signed statement of concurrence from the landowner. PR -06 June 2010 2.05.4(2)(e) - 44