2012-12-06_REVISION - C1981008 (4)

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percent. They further reported in Table 6, Mean Herbaceous Production (g/0.25m2) for the Irrigated Pasture Vegetation Type, Nucla East Study Area, 1987, that the average total herbaceous pre- disturbance forage production (including annuals and all perennial forbs and graminoids) averaged 54.2 grams per one quarter square meter. These pre- disturbance data can be compared with the post - reclamation data, wherein in 2008 on the Phase II site, allowable plant cover equaled 72.35 percent. The more extensive sampling of the Phase III Bond Release Areas, starting in 2008, resulted in allowable plant averaging 76.00 percent and a desirable forage yield of 65.52 grams. Sampling of these areas in 2009 resulted in allowable plant averaging 80.80 percent and a desirable forage yield of 68.37 grams for the second year's data and allowable plant cover averaging 81.13 percent and a desirable forage yield of 68.37 grams for the first year's data. Sampling of these areas in 2010 resulted in allowable plant averaging 85.07 percent and a desirable forage yield of 82.64 grams for the second year's data and allowable plant cover averaging 81.00 percent and a desirable forage yield of 73.33 grams for the first year's data. Sampling of these areas in 2011 resulted in allowable plant averaging 88.93 percent and a desirable forage yield of 106.49 grams for the second year's data and allowable plant cover averaging 86.80 percent and a desirable forage yield of 79.65 grams for the first year's data. Sampling of these areas in 2012 resulted in allowable plant averaging 86.47 percent and a desirable forage yield of 88.18 grams for the second year's data. While these data were collected using slightly different objectives, they employed identical sampling methodologies and these measurements clearly document that the allowable plant cover and desirable forage production on these Irrigated Pasture Reclaimed Areas is higher in virtually every monitoring effort, than those associated with the baseline Irrigated Pasture conditions. Therefore, these revegetation efforts would have to be considered to be successful and the proposed post- mining land use has been achieved. 5. Surface and Ground Water Quality Impact Analysis: A surface and groundwater quantity and quality impact analysis. This analysis must include an assessment of available hydrology data relative to the impact projections contained within the approved Probable Hydrologic Consequences and the applicable Cumulative Hydrologic Analysis. The analysis must show that onsite impacts have been minimized, and that offsite impacts have been prevented. The analysis must include an evaluation of any impact trends which may exist in the available data. Response: The potential surface and ground water impacts from the New Horizon #2 Mine were detailed in Section 2.05.6(3) of the permit, under the Probable Hydrologic Consequences section. The main potential impact is the possible infiltration of water into the replaced overburden leading to the degradation of pyrite, and the subsequent effect this can have on the dissolved solids and pH of the water. 5.1 Impact on Ground Water Rights Ground water rights within the vicinity of the New Horizon #2 Mine (2 mile radius) are identified in Appendix 2.04.7 -1 of the permit. A total of 29 ground water rights have been SL -14 03DEC12.wpd 54