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3. Hillslope design/function with regard to erosion; <br />4. Swales and depressions with regard to numbers of features and effect on post -mining land - <br />use; <br />5. Blending of regraded land to undisturbed areas; <br />6. The functioning of drainages with regard to knick-points, blending at disturbance <br />boundaries and channel erosion; <br />7. Erosional features; and <br />8. Drainage control for the reclaimed area, including upslope diversions. <br />West Elk's approved reclamation plan was prepared in accordance with Rule 2.05.4. The approved <br />reclamation plan and backfilling and grading plan for the West Elk Mine are found in Volume 1 <br />of the permit application package (PAP). Exhibit 80, which is also found in the West Elk PAP, <br />provides specific detail regarding the methane drainage wells (MDW's) and associated roads. <br />111. OBSERVATIONS AND FINDINGS <br />The bond release inspection was conducted on 22 July 2015. All of the requested areas were <br />small, linear areas and included drill pads for MDW's and their associated access roads. The <br />MDW wells, pads and roads were located above the E -Seam in above longwall panels E2 and <br />E3. Based on the application, there were 11 individual disturbed sites (drill pads) and their <br />associated roads (8 roads and road spurs). All of the sites requested for Partial Phase I Bond <br />Release are listed on Table II, which is attached at the end of this Findings Document and <br />contained in the SL -08 application package. <br />The reclamation plan for MDW drill pads generally has the following three steps: <br />1. Upon completion of each phase of activity at a given site, all debris, trash, and drilling related <br />equipment, or de -gas housing will be removed from the site. <br />2. When the mud pit or pits are sufficiently dry, they will be filled with stored soil material and <br />compacted to minimize any settling. <br />3. A backhoe and a bulldozer will redistribute material on and around the drill pad to achieve as <br />closely as practicable the original contour of the site. The area will then be ripped or scarified. <br />The reclamation plan calls for MDW access roads to be restored as closely as possible to the <br />approximate original contour, with an uneven final surface. <br />Approximate original contour for the drill pads and roads was verified during the inspection by <br />visual observation because of the small sizes of the disturbed areas (most drill pads are less than <br />one acre) and because all of the material that was regraded to achieve approximate original <br />contour was stockpiled on each site (or used in the pad or road cut and fill). <br />Additionally, wellbore locations on the ground surface were inspected for compliance with Rule <br />4.07.3, which requires that well bore closures be designed to prevent access to the mine workings <br />West Elk Mine 5 20 November 2015 <br />Partial Phase I Bond Release SL -08 Findings <br />