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Wildlife <br />While no wildlife was observed at the Section 16 Pit reclamation parcels during the inspection, <br />previous inspections have documented large herds of elk as well as deer and pronghorn in the area <br />on a regular basis. <br />Summary and Conclusions <br />The Division has completed its review and evaluation of the SL -12 partial Phase II and III Bond <br />Release application submitted by Colowyo for the Colowyo Mine. The Division proposes a Partial <br />Phase II and III Bond Release on 182.5 acres in the East and West Pit. <br />Based upon a review of the mine permit, the applicant's bond release application, and site <br />inspections, the Division finds that Colowyo has completed backfilling, grading, drainage <br />reestablishment, topsoil replacement, revegetation, and all other reclamation requirements for which <br />Phase II and III Bond Release was requested in accordance with the approved reclamation plan at <br />the Colowyo Mine. The reclaimed area included within the SL -12 bond release request have been <br />restored to the approximate original contour of the pre -mining landscape. Slopes conform to <br />post -mining contours as shown on the approved Post -mining Topography Map of the permit <br />(Map 19 and 19B) and appear to be stable. Proper blending of reclaimed areas with undisturbed <br />slopes was achieved and reconstructed drainages are stabilized and in good condition. Topsoil <br />has been replaced in accordance with the approved reclamation plan, the areas have been <br />reseeded as required and the bond release areas have been reclaimed for a post -mining land use <br />of rangeland and wildlife habitat. Colowyo has successfully demonstrated that the cover, <br />production, species diversity and woody plan density establishment on the Phase III Bond <br />Release areas meets or exceeds the reclamation success standards on the reference areas. The <br />Division finds that Colowyo has achieved the requirements for partial Phase III Bond Release on <br />182.5 acres at the Colowyo Mine. <br />V. PROPOSED DECISION <br />Based on the observations in Section IV above, the Colorado Division of Reclamation, Mining, and <br />Safety proposes to approve Colowyo's request for a partial Phase II and III Bond Release for the <br />Colowyo Mine. This proposed decision will release the applicant from reclamation liability on <br />182.5 acres of the site, as shown on Figure 1 and Figure 2 at the end of this document. <br />Phase III <br />The Division holds a performance bond in the amount of $80,517,829.00 for the Colowyo Mine. <br />The Division has calculated the amount associated with the Partial Phase II and III Bond release <br />area and it totals $663,264.00. This Partial Phase II and III Bond Release is a release of the <br />reclamation liability in the SL -12 area. The Division estimates its cost to complete remaining <br />reclamation work to the applicable area (Section 16 Pit) to be $37,107.91. This amount is sufficient <br />to assure completion of the remaining reclamation work to the applicable area if the work had to be <br />Proposed Decision and Findings of Compliance December 2017 <br />Partial Phase I1 and III Bond Release SL -12 Page 10 <br />