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permitted area property appear to be in good working order;the surrounding area is well <br />vegetated with sage, rabbitbrush, and perennial grasses. I believe my observations substantiate <br />the vegetation data provided by the operator for Phase III bond release for the entire loadout <br />parcel. The railroad corridor still exists.All observed reclamationblends with the topography of <br />the surrounding landscape. Two alluvial wells on the edge of the permitted area had not been <br />removed at the time of this evaluation. The group discussedwhen these wells would be removed, <br />a requirement before Phase III bond release would be considered. Gordon stated that the frost <br />line will not allow their removal until at least late spring. <br />From the loadout we travelled to the Kerr Mine site, located off Jackson County Road 12E. Part <br />of this Phase III bond release, a portion of the permanent light use road, is federal surface <br />(BLM). We began by driving this permanent light use road, which was functioning as designed. <br />We then inspected three culverts under the permanent access road. The first culvert was clear at <br />both the inlet and outlet. We then went to the second set of culverts for evaluation. Here, the <br />second, larger diameter contained minimal sediment at its outlet, most likely due to wash from <br />the road above. The smaller culvert in the same drainage has much more sediment accumulation <br />in front of the outlet, which also appears to originate from the road and land uphill. Both culvert <br />inlets looked to be working properly, with no sediment or undercutting present.These two <br />culverts appear to be functioning as designed. The north parcel of this bond release (immediately <br />southeast of the surface facilities area) contained adequate vegetation upland (sage, rabbitbrush, <br />great basin rye and other perennial grasses) and lowland (wetland rushes, perennial grasses). <br />Finally, the parcel further southeast of thesurface facilities area also contained adequate <br />perennial shrubs and grasses and I believe my observations substantiate the vegetation data <br />provided by the operator for Phase III bond release. <br />At our brief closeout meeting, all participants expressed confidence that this bond release would <br />be approved after the two wells at the loadout are removed.We also spoke briefly about the post - <br />mining land use for this land after this final bond release, which is designated as rangeland / <br />wildlife.After the two wells at the loadout are removed and reclaimed, Ibelieve the reclamation <br />observed during this bond release inspection meets Phase III criteria, citing Rule 3.03.1(2)(c). <br />Please address any questions concerning this report to Daniel MacKinnon, Natural Resources <br />Specialist, dmackinnon@osmre.gov or (303) 293 -5011. <br />