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Under TR -12, in July 2004, a 21.59 -acre parcel, including the South Pit, was transferred into the
<br />adjacent gravel permit, Ewing Mesa Pit No. 1 (M- 1992 -116), and 2.9 acres was added to the
<br />western margin of the permit area.
<br />In May 2005, the Division approved full bond release (SL -02) for 14.31 acres of coal
<br />disturbance that had been absorbed into the Ewing Mesa Pit No. 1 gravel permit under TR -12.
<br />An application for bond release (SL -03) was received on August 28, 2006. Phase I release was
<br />sought for backfilling, regrading, and drainage control done in 2006 at the North Pit, the North
<br />Pit Haul Road, Topsoil Stockpile #2, portions of the Previously Reclaimed Spoils Area, the
<br />South Pit Drill Pad, the Equipment Yard, and ancillary areas. The Division approved Phase I
<br />release for 28.63 acres on April 21, 2008.
<br />The Division received the operator's application to renew the permit for a fourth five -year term
<br />on February 4, 2008 (RN -03). The only comment received during the review was a letter
<br />received on February 25, 2008 from the State Historic Preservation Officer saying that the permit
<br />renewal will have no effect on historic properties. A proposed decision to approve the renewal
<br />application was issued by the Division on August 11, 2008. With RN -03, the liability was
<br />increased $25,307.00 from $380,527.00 to $405,834.00. Notice of the proposed decision was
<br />published in the Durango Herald on August 21 and 28, 2008, and no requests for a formal
<br />hearing were received. RN -03 was formally issued by the Division on September 11, 2009.
<br />Permitting Actions since the Previous Renewal (RN -03)
<br />On June 27, 2008, the Division received an application for MR -06, which was submitted to
<br />satisfy part (b) of Stipulation No. 10. Vegetation sampling data successfully demonstrated that
<br />Ponds 1 and 2 could be removed, and the revision was approved on August 11, 2008. The ponds
<br />and associated ditches were regraded in 2008 and seeded in 2009.
<br />An application for SL -04, which sought partial Phase I and II bond release (for areas not
<br />previously released), and Phase III bond release for the entire permit area, was received on July
<br />30, 2008, and found to be complete on October 10, 2008. Partial Phase I and Phase II release
<br />was approved on March 11, 2011, resulting in the required liability being reduced from $405,834
<br />to $112,165. There are no remaining areas of the permit that have not achieved Phase I and
<br />Phase II bond release.
<br />During the SL -04 review process, Oakridge submitted an application for TR -16, requesting that
<br />Topsoil Stockpiles #4 and 97 be approved as permanent features. The application was received
<br />on May 13, 2010, and the Division approved TR -16 on June 11, 2010.
<br />On August 9, 2011, the Division received an application for MR -07, which addressed Oakridge
<br />Energy's construction of a road in support of commercial development on the property. A
<br />segment of the road passed through the former Pond 2 area. The application was approved on
<br />September 6, 2011.
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