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bond release. Areas north of BB road and West of 2700 road drain to sediment pond 009 or Sediment <br /> pond 012. All reclaimed areas that drain to Pond 009 have previously been approved for Phase II Bond <br /> Release and achievement of Rule 3.03.1(3)(b). Reclaimed areas located north of BB road and east of <br /> 2700 road drain to sediment pond 009. Reclaimed lands located south of BB road and east of 2700 road <br /> included in this bond release request have previously been approved for Phase II bond release and meet <br /> the requirements of Rule 3.03.1(3)(b). <br /> III. OBSERVATIONS AND FINDINGS <br /> PHASE I <br /> Four small parcels are requested for Phase 1 bond release. Two parcels are located south of the mine <br /> office and warehouse in T46N, R15W Section 6. These two parcels consist of a thin 0.5 acre strip <br /> located to the southwest of the warehouse area. The second parcel in this vicinity is a 1.0 acre parcel <br /> located north of topsoil stockpile L and south of topsoil stockpile C. <br /> These parcels were observed for how well they agree with the design contours, how well they blend <br /> into the existing landscape, slope, drainage patterns, formation of erosional features, and elevation. <br /> An auxiliary antenna, known as a"Bad Elf', was used in conjunction with the "collector" GIS <br /> application on the inspector's Pixel 2 XL mobile device. The inspector collected points along the <br /> same cross-section line as presented on Map 1 of the SL22 application. <br /> Two parcels consisted of a 0.2 acre parcel and a 1.3 acre in T47N, R16W Section 36. All four <br /> parcels were small areas that blended well with the surrounding landscape. No drainages were <br /> established on these small areas. No erosional or ponding features were noted on any of the four <br /> parcels. The regraded fields blend well with the surrounding fields. The Division did not observe any <br /> problems or concerns with these regraded parcels. The GPS values collected on the ground with the <br /> Division's equipment were in agreement with the survey information provided by the operator. <br /> Summary and Conclusions <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 completed backfilling, grading and <br /> drainage reestablishment at the New Horizon Mine in accordance with the approved reclamation plan. <br /> PHASE II <br /> Irrigated Cropland/Prime Farmland: <br /> Topsoil has been replaced to the approved depths in accordance with the permit commitment, Section <br /> 2.05.4. Map 2.05.4-6 illustrates the topsoil replacement thickness and soil lift description on five distinct <br /> zones within the irrigated cropland field. Zone 3 is the largest portion of the field, and comprises the <br /> majority of the area covered by a center pivot sprinkler.Portions of Zone 3 area not covered by the <br /> Center-pivot, are irrigated by Side Roll sprinklers. Topsoil replacement on Zone 3 area required 34 <br /> Permit Number C1981-008:SL22 Page 8 of 17 <br />