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III. OBSERVATIONS AND FINDINGS <br />PHASE I <br />The bond release inspection for this SL -6 bond release was conducted on September 19, 20, and 21, 2017. <br />During the inspection, the East Mine, ROM Pond and 21 drill pad sites were visually assessed for <br />compliance with pertinent requirements. Relevant documents developed over the life of the operation, <br />including information provided by the operator annual reports and prior Division inspection reports, were <br />also used in the evaluation for compliance. Documentation used is referenced in this section as <br />appropriate. <br />The review for this SL -6 bond release inspection included the Phase I bond release inspection report for <br />SL -4 of the Bowie No. 1 Mine. All lands associated with the SL -4 bond release are included in the Phase <br />II request of this SL -6 bond release inspection. The SL -4 Phase I Bond Release was issued on July 5, <br />2012, based on the inspection conducted on June 28, 2012. <br />PHASE I <br />Backfilling and Grading <br />Backfilling and grading work on twenty three of the twenty five drill pads inspected was completed before <br />the implementation of SMCRA. Therefore, those twenty three drill pads included in this SL -6 inspection <br />are not held to the same reclamation standards as the pads inspected that were reclaimed after the <br />implementation of SMCRA. Drill pads for BV -1 and BV -2 were sealed and reclaimed in 2008. These <br />two pads were inspected for the backfilling and grading requirements required by the Rules. Based on the <br />on -the -ground observations during the bond release inspection and a review of the approved reclamation <br />plan outlined in the permit, the BV -1 and BV -2 drillhole pads have been regraded to the approved <br />approximate original contours of the premining conditions. The other twenty three drill pads are not <br />applicable to the standards required by the Rules and had no indications of instability. The Division holds <br />no bond liability for these locations due to the drill pads being constructed prior to SMCRA and a majority <br />of the pre-SMCRA drill pads were likely included in coal exploration and have been previously released. <br />Drainage Establishment <br />The BV -1 and BV -2 pads reclaimed in 2008 were regraded in accordance with the approved post mining <br />topography. There were no significant drainage channels associated with the drill pads. The erosion <br />control for all twenty five of the pads consists of well-established vegetative cover. The run-off from the <br />pads is in the form of sheet flow due to the slopes of the pads. There was no evidence of erosional features <br />or instability at any of the observed drill pads. <br />Summary and Conclusions <br />Based upon a review of the mine permit, the applicant's bond release application, and site inspections, the <br />Permit Number C-1981-038 Page 6 of 11 <br />