Laserfiche WebLink
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 establishment <br /> of vegetation supporting the approved post-mining land use and meeting the approved success <br /> standard for cover based on statistically valid data collected during a single year of the liability <br /> 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 release <br /> would be applicable are contributing suspended solids to streamflow or runoff outside the permit <br /> area in excess of pre-mining levels as determined by baseline data or in excess of levels <br /> determined on adjacent non-mined areas." The Division's Guideline Regarding Selected Coal <br /> Mine Bond Release Issues suggests three methods of determining whether total suspended solids <br /> (TSS), contributions are less than or equal to premining conditions or adjacent unmined areas. <br /> For Phase 11 bond release,the approved reclamation plan calls for replacement of topsoil to a mean depth <br /> of 1.8 feet(21.6 inches) on final graded spoil. The approved replacement depth for reclaimed portions of <br /> Haul Roads A and B is 1.1 feet(13.2 inches),with a 0.5 foot (6 inches)minimum depth. Reclamation <br /> (topsoil and revegetation)of the Phase 11 areas commenced in 1997 and continued through 2013. <br /> The approved revegetation plan will achieve a primary postmining land use of livestock grazing and a <br /> 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 /> To demonstrate that runoff from the reclaimed parcels results in equivalent or lesser sediment <br /> contributions as compared to baseline conditions at the mine,the Division requested that SPL utilize the <br /> Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation (RUSLE) sediment loss evaluation or a SEDCAD demonstration <br /> and submit the results to the Division. The RUSLE provides a basis for predicting the gross erosion per <br /> acre from an area on an annual basis,while SEDCAD. DRMSs' analysis of SPLs' submitted sediment <br /> demonstration is presented below in this document under the Sedimentology heading. <br /> III. OBSERVATIONS AND FINDINGS <br /> During the bond release inspection for SL8 conducted on 22 July 2020 numerous observations were <br /> documented. During the inspection, the bond release areas associated with SL8 were visually assessed <br /> for compliance with all pertinent requirements. A geospatial positioning system(GPS), and georectified <br /> maps were utilized to verify location of permanent features and to record field data relevant to specific <br /> site locations. Additionally, relevant documentation developed over the life of the operation, including <br /> information from operator annual reports and prior Division inspection reports, have also been utilized in <br /> the compliance evaluation. Observations noted in the inspection report are in agreement with the <br /> vegetation report submitted with the SL8 application. Overall,the site exhibited a diverse stand of <br /> vegetation of adequate cover to control erosion. <br /> Permit Number C1994 082 Page 9 of 15 <br />