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Permit Number C-1994-082 Page 9 of 17 <br />during the adequacy review of the SL-4 bond release application, the Division determined that this area <br />was not eligible for Phase I bond release. <br /> <br />The Pond 012 water shed area also includes the north inslope of Pond 012 and the Pond 012 slide area. <br />Major landslides have occurred in the Pond 012 slide area on four separate occasions dating back to <br />2006, and minor slumps and sloughing had been ongoing through 2011. In 2011, SPL completed the <br />regrading and drainage installation portion of the approved slide remediation plan (TR-46). <br /> <br />All permanent post-mining drainage channels in the Pond 012 watershed area are stable and continue to <br />function as designed. No evidence of erosion features have been observed since the reconstruction of <br />the slide area. The north inslope of Pond 012 remains stable with no instability or movement observed. <br />One small slump has been identified above Pond 012 that does not pose a hazard to Pond 012 or the <br />surrounding area. <br /> <br />Pond 013 Slide Area – No reclamation was required for Pond 013, as it has been permitted as a <br />permanent impoundment in its current configuration. The Pond 013 slide area was not previously <br />considered for Phase I bond release as it was required to be observed for at least one year following the <br />2012 slide activities prior to being eligible for bond release. <br /> <br />The slide remediation plan for the Pond 013 slide area called for the area to remain in its current post- <br />slide condition for stabilization and to be monitored for additional signs of instability and erosional <br />features. The area remains stable with no evidence of additional movement. No erosional features have <br />been observed in inspections conducted on the area since the 2012 slide. <br />Summary and Conclusions <br /> <br />Based upon a review of the mine permit, the applicant's bond release application, and site inspections, <br />the Division finds that SPL has completed backfilling, grading and drainage reestablishment at the Yoast <br />Mine in accordance with the approved reclamation plan. <br /> <br />PHASE III <br /> <br />Revegetation Success <br /> <br />All areas requested for Phase III bond release per SL-6 have previously received Phase I and II bond <br />release. Final reclamation was evaluated for vegetation success for vegetative cover, herbaceous <br />productivity, species diversity and woody plant density on lands designated as BRB-1 with respect to the <br />Phase III bond release vegetation sampling areas. Previous Phase I and II bond releases for the <br />requested bond release block were approved with SL-1, SL-2, SL-3, and SL-4. Reclamation parcels <br />were reclaimed between 2001 and 2007. Vegetation sampling was conducted during 2012 and 2014. <br />All reclaimed parcels have met the minimum liability period as required by Rule 3.02.3(2)(b). The <br />approved post-mining land uses are rangeland and wildlife habitat. <br /> <br />SPL has implemented an annual grazing plan on reclaimed lands at the Yoast Mine since 2009. <br />SPL’s grazing plan takes into account the available forage biomass. Livestock is stocked at an <br />appropriate capacity to leave no less than 50% of the available forage biomass. Grazing was <br />conducted annually between August through September.