Laserfiche WebLink
PHASE I <br /> Stock pond 1, formerly referred to as the Goforth pond, or Goforth stock pond, existed prior to mining <br /> activities in this area. The landowner, Mr. Goforth, requested that the stock pond remain post-mining to <br /> support the post mining land use of pasture on his property. A letter from the landowner with this request <br /> can be found in Attachment 2.05.3(3)-38 in accordance with Rule 3.03.1(3)(c). The Goforth stock pond <br /> was renovated in 2019 and brought into compliance with the approved design shown in Map 2.05.3(3)- <br /> 38. <br /> The stock pond embankment was in good condition at the time of the inspection. There was no evidence <br /> of settling, slumping or internal instability of the embankment. The out slope of the embankment was <br /> well vegetated. No rill or gully formation was observed, and the operator had applied a chopped wood <br /> mulch to the out slope. The in slopes to the pond were in good condition as well. There was no down <br /> cutting at the pond inlet and no rilling or slumping of the in slopes. Visually the SP 1 stock pond appears <br /> stable. <br /> Summary and Conclusions <br /> Based upon a review of the mine permit,the applicant's bond release application, and site inspections,the <br /> Division finds that Elk Ridge Mining and Reclamation, LLC has completed backfilling, grading of <br /> permanent stock pond, SP1, reestablishment at the New Horizon Mine in accordance with the approved <br /> reclamation plan for the requested bond release area. <br /> PHASE II <br /> Topsoil had been specifically salvaged for reclamation of the Goforth stock pond, renamed SP1. The <br /> entire pile was utilized and redistributed on the out slopes of SP1. No salvaged topsoil remains in the pile <br /> and all topsoil was utilized on site. <br /> No mining related disturbance runoff flows into SP1. All mining related disturbance downgradient from <br /> SP1 have received final bond release and subsequently removed from the permit area boundary. The only <br /> potential suspended solids from the proposed 1.1 acre bond release block are the vegetated and mulched <br /> out slopes of SP1. The out slope accounts for a very small area, is vegetated and mulched,resulting in a <br /> very minimal impact,if any,to runoff from the bond release block. <br /> Vegetative cover was not quantitatively measured, however, due to the nature of this pond reclamation, <br /> Rule 3.03.1(5)applies. The vegetative cover appears adequate to control erosion, since erosional features <br /> are absent. The area is being utilized and managed similarly to the adjacent property, pasture and cattle <br /> grazing,and appears adequate to support the post-mining land use. <br /> Summary and Conclusions <br /> Based upon a review of the mine permit,the applicant's bond release application, and site inspections,the <br /> Division finds that Elk Ridge Mining and Reclamation, LLC has replaced topsoil in accordance with the <br /> approved reclamation plan. Elk Ridge Mining and Reclamation, LLC has established vegetation which <br /> Permit Number C1981008 Page 7 of 9 <br />