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Permit Number C-1994-082 Page 8 of 17 <br />slope instability. The Phase I bond release areas include drainage YPM-13 of the North Pit area, a <br />significant portion of the South Pit area, and two small portions of the neck pit area. Specific <br />reclamation criteria associated with the SL-6 application are as follows: <br /> <br />YPM-13 Drainage – The YPM-13 drainage was reconstructed in the fall of 2011, and three new surge <br />structures were added to the drainage. This drainage had been observed to be erosionally unstable since <br />its initial construction in 2000. The drainage was initially a part of the SL-1 and SL-4 Phase I bond <br />release applications. Given the history of instability, the drainage was removed as a part of the SL-1 <br />application. Due to the drainages reconstruction less than one year prior to the SL-4 application, the <br />Division determined in 2012 that this area should be observed for a longer period before determining <br />that the drainage had been successfully reestablished. The drainage was removed from the SL-4 <br />application. <br /> <br />Based on the Division’s inspection for this SL-6 application, YPM-13 was stable and with no evidence <br />of damage. The YPM-13 drainage was measured at approximately 25% slope near the lower section <br />above Stock Pond 11A. YPM-13 continues to be consistent with the approved design. <br /> <br />Topsoil Stockpile I – The topsoil in this stockpile was to be redistributed on Haul Road B. Due to Haul <br />Road B being approved for permanent retention, the topsoil in stockpile I was not need for reclamation. <br />The topography of the existing topsoil stockpile is consistent with the approved post-mining topography. <br /> <br />Yampa Valley Electric Association (YVEA) Substation – No reclamation was required for this <br />disturbance. The YVEA Substation and pad are owned by YVEA, and the pad was approved as a <br />permanent feature. <br /> <br />YPM-20 Drainage – YPM-20 was initially included with the SL-4 Phase I bond release application in <br />2012. This drainage was removed from the SL-4 application due to the drainage being located within <br />the larger landslide body of the neck pit. It was determined in 2012 that the YPM-20 drainage should be <br />monitored for stability for at least one year before any Phase I bond release would be considered. <br /> <br />The Neck Pit slide area, including YPM-20, was included in the SPL site remediation plan (TR-46) for <br />slide areas at the Yoast Mine. The remediation plan called for the area to remain in its current post-slide <br />condition for stabilization. The YPM-20 drainage has remained stable with no erosion or down-cutting <br />observed. Based on the Division’s observations, YPM-20 is consistent with the approved design. <br /> <br />Pond 012 Watershed – The largest acreage requested for phase I release within SL-6 is the Pond 012 <br />watershed within the South Pit area. These areas were to be graded to approximate original contour, as <br />depicted in the approved Exhibit 20-2 of the PAP, their drainages reestablished, and the areas topsoiled <br />and reseeded. <br /> <br />Backfilling and grading in the South Pit area was initiated in 2000 and was completed in 2007 for areas <br />included in the SL-6 bond release request. However, in early July 2012, a major rainfall event occurred <br />in the Yoast Mine area, resulting in widespread damage to the south mine post-mining drainage channels <br />within the Pond 012 watershed. The YPM-5-1, YPM-7, YPM-7A, YPM-6-2, and YPM-6-3 drainages <br />and watersheds, all draining to the Pond 012 watershed, required reconstruction in accordance to the <br />slide remediation plan (TR-46). This area was originally part of the SL-4 bond release request; however,