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We began the bond release inspection at the Flintock Pit (F -AB -05 and F- AB -06). Parcel F -AB- <br />05 had been drill- seeded in fall, 2005 and aerial- seeded in winter, 2005. This area is well <br />vegetated, with mountain brome and wheatgrass being the predominant cover, although a good <br />diversity of many other species of perennial forbs and shrubs were observed (see Photos 1 and <br />2). The group observed some minor rilling (see Photo 3) which should eventually heal itself. <br />There is an area along the path of the electric poles that is excluded from this bond release <br />application. We observed the drainage ditch for this area. It appeared stable and to be <br />functioning properly (see Photo 4). In this area, there appears to be a problem with white top, <br />which the mine is trying to control by spraying in the early season. There is also a bare spot in <br />this pit. Mr. Zuber took a polygon of this area using his Trimble GeoXT GPS unit (see Photo 5). <br />Next, we inspected the Z Pit parcels (Z -AB -05 and Z- AB -06). The area of Z -AB -05 east of the <br />road has good species diversity and well - established rabbit brush. We also observed large shrub <br />clumps with live Serviceberry trees and Snowberry bushes in parcel Z -AB -06 (see Photo 6), a <br />sliver -sized parcel. Mr. Zuber used a shovel to verify the topsoil depth in Z -AB -06 (see Photo <br />7). He estimated the topsoil depth to be 11 inches. There is a disturbed parcel in this area as a <br />result of a power pole being dropped when the mine walked the dragline through this area. A <br />temporary anchor was placed to stabilize and counter the other power poles (see Photo 8). The <br />area of Z -AB -05 west of the road was also affected by the walking of the dragline. Part of this <br />reclamation adjacent to the road was destroyed when they widened the road for the dragline. <br />Trapper will submit a new map associated with SL12 to account for the loss of this area due to <br />the widening of the road. Otherwise, this area west of the road was well vegetated with mostly <br />grasses. <br />Lastly, the group inspected the reclaimed explosives magazine area (A- C -05). There are cows <br />currently grazing on this parcel. There is good shrub establishment in this area, with lots of <br />volunteer sage (see Photo 9). <br />The post mining land use for this area is "rangeland ". The reclaimed area and its successful <br />vegetative stand support this post mining land use. <br />