Laserfiche WebLink
Permit No. C-1981-008 <br />Bond Release Application SL-12 <br />May 31, 2011 <br />3 <br />In the amended bond release application on page 11, it is stated that, "Roughly five "pairs" of <br />cattle grazed on the IP Reference Area from late June to September each year .... On both the <br />reference area and the reclamation area, the cattle grazed the vegetation to a stubble." The <br />approved permit as quoted above clearly states that livestock will be removed by the end of <br />June, and the reference area will not be further grazed by livestock during the growing season. <br />If that is the case, the provisions of the permit were not followed. Cattle grazed the reference <br />area from late June until September. <br />5. According to the amended SL-12 application (page 11), no haying was conducted on either the <br />reclaimed area or the reference area. This statement appears to be in error. Based on aerial <br />photos the Division has, it appears that in fact, the reclaimed area was hayed in 2007 and 2008. <br />If the reclaimed area was hayed, cattle grazing is approved in the reference area to simulate the <br />haying. An accurate description of the management of the reclaimed area and the reference <br />area in 2007 and 2008 is necessary for the bond release application. <br />6. According to the May 23 response fertilizer was applied to both the reclaimed area and the <br />reference area. The rate on the reference area was slightly higher than the reclaimed area. No <br />fertilizer was applied in 2008. This response is acceptable. <br />In summary, with the approval of the irrigated pasture reference area standard, it is very important to <br />document the management that occurs on both the reclaimed and reference area irrigated pastureland. <br />This does not seem to have happened, as discussed above. Based on the May 23, 2011 amended <br />application, the Division cannot approve the Phase III bond release application for the irrigated <br />pasturelands. The discussion of the management activities does not seem to represent what actually <br />occurred on the reclaimed lands. <br />Please let me know how you want the Division to proceed with the Phase III bond release application. <br />Sincerely, <br />i <br />Sandra L. Brown <br />Sr. Environmental Protection Specialist <br />C. Marcia Talvitie <br />Greg Lewicki <br />