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current Peabody Sage Creek Mine permit area. SL -03 was approved on April 1, 2009. PSCM's <br />approved reclamation plan prepared in accordance with Rule 2.05.4 is contained in Volume 1 A, Tab <br />2.05.4 of the approved permit application package (PAP). <br />PHASE III <br />Rule 3.03.1(2)(c) states that the final portion of performance bond, "shall be released when the permittee <br />has successfully completed all surface coal mining reclamation operations in accordance with this <br />approved reclamation plan, and the final inspection procedures of 3.03.2 have been satisfied. This shall <br />not be before the expiration of the period specified for revegetation responsibility in 3.023." Rule <br />3.03.1(4) states, "No bond shall be fully released until all reclamation requirements of these Rules and <br />the Act are fully met... ". The same rule goes on to state, 'No acreage shall be released from the permit <br />area until all surface coal mining and reclamation operations on that acreage have been completed in <br />accordance with the approved reclamation plan." <br />PSCM provided documentation in the application of the seed mixes planted for the Phase III Bond <br />Release Block (referred to as BRB -2 and BRB -3). Seed mixes used were in accordance with the <br />approved mixes. All lands requested in the current Phase III bond release application, SL -03, have been <br />approved for Phase I and II bond release during SL -01, SL -02, or SL -03. Final reclamation success was <br />evaluated for vegetation success for vegetative cover, herbaceous productivity, species diversity and <br />woody plant density on lands designated as BRB -2 and BRB -3. The reclaimed landscape was evaluated <br />for evidence of erosional features. Evaluation of the post - mining land use of livestock grazing and <br />wildlife habitat was considered during the Division's review. Impacts to the quality of surface water and <br />ground water were analyzed during the Division's review of the SL -03 bond release application. <br />III. OBSERVATIONS AND FINDINGS <br />The bond release inspection for this bond release application (SL -03) was conducted on August 13 and <br />14, 2014. During the inspection, the majority of the BRB's associated with SL -03 were observed to <br />allow for visual assessment of compliance with pertinent requirements. Geo- rectified maps and GPS <br />were utilized to verify location of permanent features and to record field data relevant to specific site <br />locations. In addition, relevant documentation developed over the life of the operation, including <br />information from operator annual reports and prior Division inspection reports, has also been utilized in <br />the compliance evaluation. Such documentation is referenced in this section as appropriate. <br />The inspection review for the PSCM SL -03 included a review of the Phase I bond release inspection <br />report for SL -01 and the Phase II bond release inspection reports for SL -03, which applied to all of the <br />lands included in the Peabody Sage Creek Mine SL -03 application. The Seneca II Mine SL -01 Phase I <br />bond release inspection report was issued August 24, 2006, based on an inspection conducted August 7, <br />2006 through August 11, 2006. Maintenance problems noted in the Seneca II SL -01 inspection were <br />checked during the Seneca II SL -05 inspection. The problems identified in the Seneca II SL -01 <br />inspection were found to have been addressed. During the SL -05 inspection, maintenance problems <br />noted and repaired were observed and found to be stable. <br />Noxious and invasive vegetation continues to be present at low levels throughout the BRB's. Weeds <br />