Laserfiche WebLink
grading plan, schedule, and post -mining topography are located in Tabs 19 and 20 of the PAP. <br />Evaluation and inspection were based on the specific requirements of the reclamation plan and the <br />functional requirements of the post -mining land use. No specific reclamation criteria are associated <br />with the SL7 application as all parcels have been Phase I released through permitting actions as <br />listed in Table 3 above. <br />Phase I bond release for all parcels in the SL7 bond release block resulted in previous bond release <br />requests as illustrated in Table 3 above. Backfilling and regrading generally took place between <br />1997 and 2007 and was completed within 180 days following coal removal. Reclamation (topsoil <br />and revegetation) in the combined Phase IF Ill areas commenced in 2001 and continued through <br />2007. <br />Phase II Bond Release <br />Rule 3.03.1(2)(b) states: <br />"Up to eighty-five percent of the applicable bond amount shall be released upon the <br />establishment of vegetation supporting the approved post -mining land use and meeting the <br />approved success standard for cover based on statistically valid data collected during a single <br />year of the liability period." <br />And, regarding Phase II bond release, Rule 3.03.1(3)(b) states: <br />"No more than (60) percent of the bond shall be released so long as the lands to which the <br />release would be applicable are contributing suspended solids to streamflow or runoff outside <br />the permit area in excess of pre -mining levels as determined by baseline data or in excess of <br />levels determined on adjacent non -mined areas." The Division's Guideline Regarding <br />Selected Coal Mine Bond Release Issues suggests three methods of determining whether <br />total suspended solids (TSS), contributions are less than or equal to premining conditions or <br />adjacent unmined areas. <br />For Phase 11 bond release, the approved reclamation plan calls for replacement of topsoil to a mean <br />depth of 1.8 feet (21.6 inches) on final graded spoil. The approved replacement depth for reclaimed <br />portions of Haul Roads A and B is 1.1 feet (13.2 inches), with a 0.5 foot (6 inches) minimum depth. <br />Reclamation (topsoil and revegetation) of the combined Phase II/Phase III areas commenced in 2001 <br />and continued through 2007. <br />The approved revegetation plan will achieve a primary postmining land use of livestock grazing and <br />a secondary use of wildlife habitat. The reclamation plan establishes five primary vegetation types: <br />1. shrub grassland upland areas in the mine area and haul road corridor <br />2. upland shrub sites <br />3. mesic drainage tree and shrub sites <br />4. mesic drainage areas in the mine area <br />5. and alkaline lowlands in portions of the haul road corridor. <br />Permit Number C-1994-082 Page 8 of 23 <br />