2010-09-14_INSPECTION - C1981014

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September 13, 2010 C-1981-014/Southfield Mine JHD roadway runoff from gullying the actual roadways, Light-use roads description can be found in section 4.03.3 of the permit, and locations are shown on map 19 and map 30. The light use road along the south and west side of the Refuse pile is in compliance with the approved design and supports the post mining land use of rangeland and wildlife use.. RECLAMATION SUCCESS - Rule 4.15, Rule 3: At the time of the inspection, Kent Crofts, of IME, a consultant for Energy Fuels was collecting interim sampling data of the vegetation on the reclaimed areas in accordance with Section 4.15.7 and 2.05.4. This sampling event corresponds with 7 years after seeding. The landowner requested a copy of the 2006 interim sampling data. The Division will forward a copy of the 2006 report to Linda Saunders, one of the surface landowners on the Vento property. The interim vegetation monitoring is for evaluating the establishment of the permanent vegetation as will not intended to be used for bond release purposes, as stated in an e-mail from the operator. Mr. Crofts also discussed the sampling of a proposed reference area. IME sampled the proposed area in 2008 but has not provided this data to the Division. Data s currently 2 years old. REVEGETATION - Rule 4.15 ? ? Vegetative Cover; Timing: The Consultant for Energy Fuels, IME, was collecting vegetative cover, production, and diversity data on the reclaimed communities at the mine area. The Vento parcel was sampled separately from the Corley parcel due to different seed mixes used. The sampling was being conducted in accordance with the sampling plan described in the approved permit. Surface landowners, Linda and Bob Saunders, partial owners of the Vento property meet with the inspector on site to observe the inspection. Ms. Saunders had previously expressed concern over the presence of Rabbitbrush established in the reclaimed pond 3 area. This area has a post-mining land use of rangeland and wildlife habitat. The area is currently not being grazed by domestic livestock. Unmanaged grazing and browsing does occur from wildlife. The Vento parcel exhibits very good vegetation establishment and is dominated by a mix of cool and warm season grasses. While Rabbitbrush are present in the reclaimed pond 3 area, this species is not spreading, as noted by the lack of new seedlings becoming established. Rabbitbrush was not included in the seed mix and invaded naturally. Rabbitbrush in an early to mid-seral species and tends to die out of older well managed grass- shrub communities. There is no evidence that this parcel is being overgrazed or stressed out by other management practices. There is no evidence that Rabbitbrush is increasing. Older stands of rabbitbrush near the reclaimed portal area exhibits natural die off of the rabbit brush. Cover throughout the reclaimed refuse area is very good with good cover and impressive plant vigor. Visual observations of the reclaimed areas show good diversity of warm and cool season grasses, perennial forbs and shrub species. Few bare areas were encountered and no noxious species were encountered. Previously identified Number of Partial Inspection this Fiscal Year: 2 Number of Complete Inspections this Fiscal Year: 1 Page 3 of 5