_INSPECTION - C1982057 (76) - Laserfiche WebLink

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August 12,2013 C-1982-057/Seneca II-W Mine JLE vegetation established throughout the bond release area is diverse with dense vegetative cover. Very few bare areas were observed throughout the bond release area and the few there are were small in extent. Below is a list of species observed throughout the bond release area. There is not a particular order to the list;they are simply listed in the general order in which they were noted during the inspection. A detailed list of species found throughout the bond release area is included in the 2009 vegetation study submitted with the SL5 application. Western Wheatgrass;Pascopyrum smithii, Rabbit Brush; Chrysothamnus nauseosus,Intermediate wheatgrass; Thinopyrum intermedium, Curlycup gumweed, Grindelia syuarrosa, Basin Wildrye;Lymus cinereus, Mountain Brome; Ceratochia polyantha, Palmer Penstemon;Penstemon palmeri, Canada Thistle;Breea arvensis,Blue Flax;Adenolinum lewisii, Cicer Milkvetch;Astragalus cicer,Sheep Fescue;Festuca brachyphylla, Prickly lettuce;Lactuca serriola, Serviceberry;Amelanchier alnifolia, Snowberry;Symphoricarpos occidentalis, Chokecherry;Padus viginiana, Big Sagebrush,Seriphidium tridentata,Alfalfa;Medicago sativa, Pennycress; Thlaspi arvense, Cheatgrass;Anisantha tectorum, Western Yarrow;Achillia lanulosa, Woods Rose;Rosa woodsii, Timothy grass;Phleum pretense, Antelope bitterbrush;Purshia tridentata, Arrowleaf Balsamroot;Balsamorhiza sagittata, Quacking Aspen,Populous tremuloides, Wax Current;Ribes cereum and Box elder;Acer negundo. Of the species observed throughout the site,the dominant species were primarily native grasses such as Western Wheatgrass,Basin Wildrye and sheep fescue. Alfalfa,an introduced forb for cattle grazing was dominant throughout the site. The dominant introduced pasture grass found throughout the site was Intermediate Wheatgrass. The dominant perennial forb appeared to be Western Yarrow. The dominant shrubs appeared to be Big Sagebrush,Serviceberry,Woods Rose and Box Elder. In accordance with Tab 16,page 19;mining did not intercept any alluvial valley floor(AVF)areas. Seneca II-W's mining and reclamation plan was designed to minimized disturbances to the hydrologic balance by preserving the essential hydrologic functions of the AVF areas adjacent to the mining and reclamation operations. For Phase II bond release,the Division evaluates the implemented reclamation plan in terms of established vegetative cover. Please see the above discussion for details. Overall,the affected areas requested for bond release has dense vegetation cover and the sedimentation and drainage control plan appears to be functioning. The Division observed a few minor rills and gullies throughout the Phase II bond release area. SCC conducts a rill and gully survey every year and implements repairs as necessary. The Division observed several areas noted in the 2012 rill and gully survey where the Operator has conducted required maintenance and stabilization activities. All of the sediment ponds were inspected. Each pond appeared to be functioning as designed. REVEGETATION—Rule 4.15,Vegetative Cover;Timing: The affected land surrounding permanent road G was observed. The vegetation surrounding the road corridor blends well with the surrounding undisturbed area. Minor rills and gullies were observed at several locations along the road. Several former topsoil stockpile areas(QQ,PP and SS)along the road were walked. Overall, these areas had dense vegetation cover. There were several areas where the Operator had treated a weed patch and possibly applied a little too much herbicide creating a small bare patch. Number of Partial Inspection this Fiscal Year: 1 Number of Complete Inspections this Fiscal Year: 1 Page 4 of 13