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post-mining did not demonstrate appreciable increase in flow rate or TSS attributable to mining and <br /> reclamation activities. <br /> Impacts to surface water quality are in agreement with the operator's Probable Hydrologic <br /> Consequences(PHQ predictions. The impacts to surface water quality are considered to be attributed to <br /> spoil springs and not to sediment pond discharge. Both Tuttle Draw and Calamity Draw did not exhibit <br /> significant increases to total dissolved solids JDS)downstream of the mining area. <br /> Material damage and off site water quality impacts have been prevented and are in agreement with the <br /> approved PHC. <br /> Conclusion: <br /> Based upon a review of the mine permit,the applicant's bond release application, and site inspections, <br /> the Division finds that Elk Ridge Mining and Reclamation, LLC has replaced topsoil in accordance with <br /> the approved reclamation plan. Elk Ridge Mining and Reclamation,LLC has established vegetation on <br /> the Irrigated Pasture and Dryland Pasture bond release blocks which support the approved post mine <br /> land use and meets the approved success standard for vegetative cover. <br /> The operator has demonstrated that the Irrigated Cropland and Prime Farmland parcels requested for <br /> bond release have exceeded the adjusted three year crop production values when compared to the <br /> approved Irrigated Cropland/Prime Farmland reference area in accordance with Rule 4.25.5(3). <br /> The Division finds that the reclaimed area subject to this bond release is not contributing suspended <br /> solids to streamflow or runoff outside the permit area in excess of pre-mining levels or in excess of <br /> adjacent non-mined areas. <br /> PHASE III <br /> Parcels requested for Phase III bond release were reclaimed between 2004 and 2009. Vegetation was <br /> observed on the parcels requested for Phase III bond release. All parcels requested for release area <br /> have agricultural or agricultural support post-mining land uses. The approved land uses on Phase III <br /> bond release parcels include irrigated pasture, dryland pasture, and adjacent support facility. <br /> Cover and production data were collected during the 2018 and 2019 growing seasons for the bond <br /> release and reference areas. Sample adequacy was achieved for cover in the bond release Irrigated <br /> Pasture BRB in 2018. Sample adequacy was not achieved for the 2018 production on the Irrigated <br /> Pasture Reference Area,the operator collected 20 production quadrates from the 2018 irrigated pasture <br /> reference area. Sample adequacy was achieved for cover and production in both the bond release and <br /> reference areas for 2019 for Irrigated Pasture BRB. Sample adequacy was achieved for production in <br /> the Irrigated Pasture in 2018 and 2019. <br /> Sample adequacy was achieved for cover in 2018 and 2019 for Dryland Pasture BRB and Dryland <br /> Pasture Reference area(Old Peabody Sage Reference Area). Sample adequacy was achieved for <br /> Permit Number C1981-008:SL22 Page 12 of 17 <br />