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eliminated and the reclaimed lands blend in well with the adjacent undisturbed slopes. No <br /> settling, slumping or cracking of the backfill were noted in the partial Phase I Bond Release area <br /> as well as Phase I, II, and III for the Gulch A Ditch. <br /> Summary and Conclusions <br /> The Division has completed its review and evaluation of the SL-15 partial Phase I, II and III Bond <br /> Release application submitted by Colowyo for the Colowyo Mine. The Division proposes a Partial <br /> Phase I Bond Release on 65 acres in the East and West Pits and Partial Phase I, II, II Bond Release <br /> on 3.7 acres for the Gulch A Ditch. Based upon a review of the mine permit,the applicant's bond <br /> release application, and site inspections,the Division finds that Colowyo has completed backfilling, <br /> grading, and drainage reestablishment at the Colowyo Mine in accordance with the approved <br /> reclamation plan for which partial Phase I, II and III Bond Release was requested. The reclaimed <br /> area included within the SL-15 bond release request have been restored to the approximate <br /> original contour of the pre-mining landscape. Slopes conform to post-mining contours as shown <br /> on the approved Postmining Topography Map of the PAP (Map 19 and 19B) and were stable at <br /> the time of the inspection stable. Proper blending of reclaimed areas with undisturbed slopes <br /> was achieved and reconstructed drainages are stabilizing and in good condition. The Division <br /> finds that Colowyo has achieved the requirements for partial Phase I Bond Release on 65 acres <br /> and partial Phase I, II and III on 3.7 acres for the Gulch A Ditch 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 I, II and III Bond Release for the <br /> Colowyo Mine. This proposed decision will release the applicant from liability for backfilling, <br /> grading, and drainage control reestablishment on 65 acres of the site, as shown on Figure I as well <br /> as total reclamation liability on 3.7 acres for the Gulch A Ditch, as shown on Figure 2 at the end of <br /> this document. <br /> The Division holds a performance bond in the amount of$108,025,721.00 for the Colowyo Mine. <br /> The Division has calculated the amount associated with the partial Phase I, II and III Bond Release <br /> area and it totals $1,584,104.00. The Division estimates its cost to complete remaining reclamation <br /> work at the Colowyo Mine to be $104,671,942.00. This amount is sufficient to assure completion <br /> of the remaining reclamation work to the Colowyo Mine if the work had to be performed by the <br /> Division, including the cost of reestablishing vegetation on any revegetated areas, should those <br /> areas fail. <br /> With the releasable amount of$1,5 84,104.00,the Division will still hold a bond in the amount of <br /> $10810251721.00 which is $313531779.00 more than the minimum required liability to fully reclaim <br /> the remaining disturbed areas at the Colowyo Mine. <br /> Proposed Decision and Findings of Compliance August 6,2019 <br /> Partial Phase I,II and III Bond Release SL-15 Page 9 <br />