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INTEROFFICE MEMORANDUM <br />TO: JASON MUSICK <br />FROM: JANET BINNS <br />SUBJECT: GOLDEN EAGLE MINE, C1981-013, 2012 MT REVIEW <br />DATE: 4/19/2012 <br /> <br />I have reviewed the Golden Eagle Mine permit for compliance with Vegetation, Soils and post-mining <br />land use issues in accordance with Rules 2.05.4 and 2.05.5 <br /> <br />Reviewed: RN5 Findings dated 5/11/2009. <br /> PAP <br /> SL6 Findings <br /> SL4 Findings <br /> 2004 ARR <br /> DRMS Inspection reports: 12/7/2004 and 1/25/2005. <br /> <br />Golden Eagle permit has approved reclamation success revegetation sampling methods in PAP section <br />2.05.4. However, the approved method for vegetation productivity sampling consists of sampling six <br />2 <br />0.1 M quadrats along each 25 M long cover transect. Vegetative productivity results from 2005 and <br />2006 sampling events for the SL6 application did not achieve sample adequacy. The Division finds the <br />size of the production quadrats unusually small for the type of vegetation being sampled. The Division <br />22 <br />more commonly sees productivity sample quadrats on the order of 0.5 M to 1 Mfor sampling similar <br />vegetation communities. <br /> <br /> <br />1.The small size of the productivity sample plots need to be enlarged to bring the sample <br />methodology into agreement with Rule 4.15.11(b)(i). Quadrat size should be a minimum of ¼ <br />2 <br />M and large enough to encompass plants of the larger species being sampled. NECC will need <br />to submit a proposed change to the sampling methodology as a technical revision. <br /> <br /> <br />Issue with sample method for cover; random in such a small area 1.2 acres. <br /> <br />Reclamation success sample methodology for vegetative cover was approved when the permit consisted <br />of a much larger area prior to SL6 and subsequent permit area reduction. The vegetative cover sampling <br />methods were approved to collect randomly distributed 25 M cover transects. Following the Division’s <br />approval of SL6 (8/26/2008), the remaining area of reclamation liability consists of 1.2 acres of the <br />reclaimed NW Bleeder fan site, reclaimed pad and associated reclaimed access road. The Division is <br />concerned about applying the currently approved vegetation sampling methods, applicable to a larger <br />surface area, to the reduced 1.2 acre site. <br /> <br />