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III. OBSERVATIONS AND FINDINGS <br />The following discussion of observations and findings focuses on the results of backfilling and grading <br />work and drainage reestablishment, relating this work to reclamation plan requirements. During the <br />Phase I bond release inspection, participants walked through all of the North Pit area, to allow for <br />visual assessment of compliance with pertinent requirements as described above in Section II of this <br />document. An inclinometer was used to field check gradients at major drainage channels. Relevant <br />documentation developed over the past several yeazs is included in previous inspection reports and <br />was reviewed prior to this bond release inspection. In addition, Postmining Topography (Exhibit C), <br />Post Mine Cross-Sections (Exhibit D), and As-Built Drainage Profiles (Exhibit E) were included in <br />the bond release application and reviewed by the Division during the technical evaluation of the bond <br />release application. <br />Backfillina & Gradin¢ <br />Backfilling and grading work was done between 1996 through 2005. The majority of the grading work <br />was performed with dozers and scrapers. In some cases the major backfilling was done with scrapers <br />and the dragline. Exhibit B, Chronology of Backfilling and Grading indicates the sequence and timing <br />of backfill and grading within the Phase I request area. A total of 188.1 acres have been backfilled and <br />graded in the North Pit and aze included in the Phase I bond release application. <br />Lazge portions of the North Pit were viewed by walking all of the post-mine drainage channels and by <br />accessing the highest elevation points on both the northern and southern perimeters of the former pit <br />azea. All highwalls have been removed and the reclaimed areas blend in well with existing <br />undisturbed landscape. Regraded slopes within the North Pit are in agreement with approved post- <br />mining contours as shown on Post-Mining Topography Map, Exhibit 20-2 and on Exhibit C of the <br />Phase I bond release application. <br />The majority of the reclaimed area of the North Pit was stable with adequate surface water runoff <br />control. There are several areas where rills and gullies have formed as described in the Phase I bond <br />release inspection report dated October 18, 2006. These locations will require maintenance, and <br />should be monitored and hand repaired as described in the inspection report. The majority of <br />backfilled areas have remained stable. Photograph No. 1 provided in the Inspection Photos <br />Attachment at the end of this document shows a stable backfilled area with good vegetation and an <br />established shrub plot located on the south side of the North Pit. <br />There aze however six specific areas that are erosionally unstable and will be excluded from the Phase <br />I bond release. These locations are all shown on the attached Site Map and Zoom Area Map at the <br />end of this document. These excluded locations are described in detail below in this subsection and <br />under the Drainage Reestablishment subsection. <br />Observations were made throughout the inspection with regard to approximate original contour and <br />erosional stability of the reclaimed landscape. Based on observations made during this and previous <br />inspections, the reclaimed areas have been restored to the approximate original contour of the pre- <br />mining landscape. One location in the northwest portion of the North Pit area was regraded to a slope <br />