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vegetation which supports the approved postmining land use and which meets 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 3.03.2(3)(b)also states: <br /> "No more than sixty(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 stream flow or runoff outside the <br /> permit area in excess of premining levels as determined by baseline data or in excess of levels <br /> determined on adjacent nonmined areas". <br /> And at Phase III Rule 3.03.1(2)(c) states that: <br /> the final portion of performance bond,"shall be released when the permittee has successfully <br /> completed all surface coal mining reclamation operations in accordance with this approved <br /> reclamation plan,and the final inspection procedures of 3.03.2 have been satisfied. This shall not be <br /> before the expiration of the period specified for revegetation responsibility in 3.02.3." <br /> Rule 3.03.1(4) states: <br /> "No bond shall be fully released until all reclamation requirements of these Rules and the Act are <br /> fully met... The same rule goes on to state,"No acreage shall be released from the permit area until <br /> all surface coal mining and reclamation operations on that acreage have been completed in <br /> accordance with the approved reclamation plan." <br /> Permit Requirements: Success Standards <br /> The Seneca IIW Mine reclamation plan calls for a minimum of four feet of suitable plant growth medium, <br /> including an average of 1.3 feet of topsoil to be placed on graded lands prior to revegetation(Permit Tab 21). <br /> Drainage control at the site comprises armored reconstructed drainages,sedimentation ponds and stock tanks <br /> as well as various secondary containment measures including check dams,diversion ditches, sediment <br /> sumps,contour ditches,riprap,and vegetative sediment filters among other methods. Sedimentation ponds <br /> have all been designed to meet State and Federal regulations and to provide storage and treatment for runoff <br /> resulting from 10 year 24 hour precipitation events. <br /> Protection of the hydrologic balance at the site comprises ground water and surface water monitoring for <br /> water quantity and water quality. The natural ground waters at the Seneca IIW mine comprise high <br /> concentrations of dissolved minerals and solids. It is expected that spoil utilized in reclamation will affect <br /> ground water quality as TDS (total dissolved solids),trends increase over baseline levels. Seven sediment <br /> ponds are utilized for controlling surface runoff from disturbed areas. Six of the ponds are NPDES surface <br /> monitoring sites and monitoring is undertaken in Sage and Dry Creeks as well as Hubberson Gulch. Surface <br /> and groundwater monitoring installations will remain until final phase III bond release. Water rights have <br /> been protected and a water augmentation plan was put in place for the over appropriated Yampa River. <br /> Alluvial Valley Floors <br /> A 1990 AFV study evaluated the Dry, Grassy and Sage Creek drainages around the Seneca IIW permit <br /> area with respect to their potential as AVF's. As intermittent streams, Dry and Sage Creeks have <br /> insufficient carrying capacity to remove sediment built up from fans emanating from tributaries and <br /> sediment from valley slopes. The lower reaches comprise alluvium with limited water availability <br /> although there exist areas of flood irrigation. AVFs do exist adjacent to and downstream of the Seneca <br /> Permit Number C1982057 Prepared by: R.Reilley NIS,GISP <br /> SL6 Phase II and III Page 5 of 16 <br />