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The' I)UM� IDRgRZ tUpartial Phase II Bond Release on 0.4 acres portion of <br /> the South Collection Ditch in the SL-17 application, as shown on Figure I of this document. The <br /> process of releasing the reclamation bond for a coal mine site in Colorado is explained in Rule 3.03 <br /> IQArE=1Guideline Regarding Selected Coal Mining Bond <br /> Release Issues. The bond release process involves three phases. At Phase II,Rule 3.03.1(2) (b) <br /> states, "Up to eighty-five percent of the applicable bond amount shall be released upon the <br /> establishment of vegetation which supports the approved postmining land use and which meets the <br /> approved success stand for cover,pursuant to 4.15.8, meets applicable productivity standards for <br /> prime farmlands or alluvial valley floors pursuant to 3.03.1(3)(b), or croplands pursuant to 4.15.9. <br /> With the exception of prime farmlands, evaluation of vegetation establishment pursuant to this <br /> paragraph is based on statistically valid data collected during a single year of the liability period." <br /> ,QUUUM3 EDJI�[EPQJUDDJ-1T5 ®QR IIIl RIP RLIPM3QFEMSH i❑ <br /> the bond shall be released so long as the lands to which the release would be applicable are <br /> contributing suspended solids to streamflow or runoff outside the permit area in excess of <br /> premining levels as determined by baseline data or in excess of levels determined on adjacent <br /> QV D�m <br /> Although not specifically addressed in Rule 3.03, the Division evaluates topsoil replacement in <br /> conformance with Rule 4.06 and permit requirements as a component of Phase II bond release. <br /> Evaluation and inspection of the reclaimed areas was based on the specific requirements of the <br /> reclamation plan and the functional requirements of the post-mining land use. Criteria for bond <br /> release included the following. <br /> 1. Required variable topsoil replacement depth at an average of 8 inches (per the <br /> Colowyo PAP); and <br /> 2. Required 90%vegetation cover. <br /> However, for permanent post-mining channels, there are no topsoil requirements or vegetation <br /> cover requirements and this was not evaluated for the South Collection Ditch being requested for <br /> partial Phase II Bond Release as part of the SL-17 application. <br /> Phase III Bond Release <br /> 7 QD LU, UhUURgRZ he partial Phase III Bond Release on portion of <br /> South Collection Ditch in the SL-17 application, as shown on Figure 1 of this document. The <br /> process of releasing the reclamation bond for a coal mine site in Colorado is explained in Rule 3.03 <br /> DQMLVAMWEMOQWL IYBIRQnrideline Regarding Selected Coal Mining Bond <br /> Release Issues. The bond release process involves three phases. At Phase III, Rule 3.03.1(2) (c) <br /> states, "The remaining portion of the bond amount shall be released when the permittee has <br /> successfully completed all surface coal mining reclamation operations in accordance with the <br /> approved reclamation plan, and the final inspection and procedures of 3.03.2 have been satisfied. <br /> This shall not be before the expiration of the period specified for revegetation responsibility in <br /> 3.02.3." <br /> Proposed Decision and Findings of Compliance December 18,2019 <br /> Partial Phase I,II and III Bond Release SL-17 Page 6 <br />