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Surface runoff from the northern Phase I areas is intercepted by collection ditches which drain to <br />Ponds 009 and 012. Once these ponds are removed, runoff will flow directly into Tuttle Draw. The <br />central portion of the Phase I area drains overland, westward to Pond 013, while runoff from the <br />southern slopes is collected in the north BB Road ditch and flows to Pond 011. There were no <br />drainages to be reestablished in the Phase I area, and the reconstructed topography blends into the <br />undisturbed adjacent areas. Post - mining topography and cross sections of the Phase I area is <br />depicted on Maps R -1 and R -2 of the bond release application. <br />Summary and Conclusions <br />Based upon a review of the mine permit, the applicant's bond release application, and site <br />inspections, the Division finds that Western Fuels- Colorado, LLC has completed backfilling, <br />grading and drainage reestablishment at the New Horizon Mine in accordance with the approved <br />reclamation plan. <br />PHASE III <br />The majority of BB Road was backfilled in 2002 as the pit moved to the north. The western end, <br />near the intersection with 2700 Road, was not backfilled until late 2004. The roads were surfaced <br />with gravel in 2008, and paved with asphalt in 2010. Lengths of roadway reconstructed, as shown <br />on Map R -1 of the application, are as follows: <br />■ BB Road east of 2700 Road: 2,197 feet <br />■ 2700 Road, south of BB Road: 744 feet <br />■ 2700 Road, north of BB Road: 2,236 feet <br />The Special Use Permit (SUP) issued by Montrose County included conditions that the construction <br />be warranted by Western Fuels- Colorado, LLC for structural integrity for a period of five (5) years <br />following the completion of construction. The SUP also required the applicant to post a financial <br />guarantee to extend for a period of five (5) years following the completion of construction. A <br />January 10, 2011 letter from Montrose County Engineering was submitted with the SL -13 <br />application. The letter states that the County has accepted the reconstructed facilities, based on as- <br />built drawings submitted to the County, and that the warranty period commenced as of the date of <br />the letter. The letter also notes "what appears to be additional deep settlement in a couple areas of <br />BB Road ", and proposes a one year extension of the warranty period for every year that any <br />measurable settlement is observed. <br />No topsoil redistribution or revegetation was required for the reconstructed roads and County right - <br />of -way. There are therefore no success standards that are applicable to this bond release. <br />Roadside ditches and culverts have been designed to carry flow from the 100 -year 24 -hour event. <br />Drainage areas for each feature include both SL -13 Phase III areas and adjacent disturbed areas that <br />are in various phases of reclamation and revegetation. The post- mining land use of Road was <br />initially implemented in 2008 when the roads were opened to traffic following their being surfaced <br />with road base. Full implementation occurred in 2010 after the roads were paved with asphalt <br />(Figure 2). <br />