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Introduction <br />This document presents the findings of compliance in support of the proposed decision by the <br />Colorado Division of Reclamation, Mining and Safety (the Division), in response to a request for <br />partial Phase II, Phase II and 111, and Phase III bond release at the Yoast Mine, Seneca Property LLC <br />(SPL), Division file number C1994082. The package comprises the following four parts: <br />1. Introduction <br />2. Procedures and summary of the bond release process <br />3. Criteria and schedule for bond release <br />4. Written observations and findings of compliance the Division prepared as required by <br />the Colorado Surface Coal Mining and Reclamation Act. <br />5. The Division's proposed decision. <br />These findings and the proposed decision are made in response to a request (SI -7) for the partial <br />release of reclamation liability at the Yoast Mine. SPL is a surface coal mine, permitted and operated <br />by Seneca Property, LLC. With this application, Phase 11 and III combined (39.4 acres), and Phase <br />111 (315 acres), for a total bond release of 354.4 acres. Reclamation for which bond release has been <br />requested was conducted from 1997 to 2007. SPL originally requested partial Phase 11 bond release <br />on 143.3 acres of land in addition to the partial Phase 11/111 and Phase 111 bond release. However, <br />during the review of the SI -7 application, SPL withdrew all of the Phase 11 only acres from <br />consideration. Also during the review, minor changes in the acres originally requested for partial <br />Phase 11/III and partial phase III bond release occurred due to several discrepancies identified during <br />the review. <br />Background Information Sources <br />Detailed information about the review process can be found in the Act and the Regulations of the <br />Colorado Mined Land Reclamation Board for Coal Mining. All Rules referenced within this <br />document are contained within the Regulations and in the Guidelines Regarding Selected Coal Mine <br />Bond Release Issues, dated April 18, 1995. All "Sections" referenced within this document are <br />contained within the Regulations, unless otherwise noted. Detailed information about the mining and <br />reclamation operations at SPL are available in the Yoast Mine Permit Application Package, on file at <br />the Division's offices (1313 Sherman Street, Room 215, Denver, Colorado) and accessible on the <br />Division web site: http://mining.state.co.us/Reports/Pages/ImagedDocumentData.aspx <br />Location of the Seneca Yoast Mine and Ownership <br />The SPL is a surface mine which is permitted and operated by Seneca Property, LLC. The <br />ownership of the land for which bond release has been requested is federal and private, and the <br />coal ownership was federal and private, located approximately nine miles southeast of the town of <br />Hayden, Colorado in Routt County. <br />The specific areas applicable to the bond release request comprise: <br />UN, R87 W <br />o Section 28 Portions ofNWI/4, NW1/4 SWI/4, SW1/4NE1/4 <br />o Section 29 Portions of SEI/4 <br />o Section 32 Portions ofNWI/4NE1/4, WI/2 E1/2 <br />Permit Number C-1994-082 Page 2 of 23 <br />