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attend the inspection and had not previously expressed any concerns regarding the reclamation of these wells. <br /> The reclaimed wells were visible from the fence and were located at the southern edge of the agricultural field. <br /> No problems were observed with the reclamation of this well cluster. <br /> Reclaimed well MFBF-71 is located in Section 31 on property owned by ERMR. The post-mining land use in <br /> this location is Dryland Pasture. We were able to locate the reclaimed monitoring well. The reclaimed well <br /> MFBF-71 blended in well with the surrounding area, and the Dryland Pasture vegetation was similar to that in <br /> the surrounding area. <br /> Reclaimed monitoring well MW BF-63 is located in Section 36 north of Parcel IP-9 Irrigated Pasture. This <br /> reclaimed well is located within parcel DP-9 with a post-mining land use of Dryland Pasture. We walked <br /> around this area but were unable to pinpoint the reclaimed well. This indicates that it was well blended into <br /> the surrounding area. <br /> GW-N3 is located in the NW quarter of Section 36. This well was not visited during the bond release inspection, <br /> but it has been observed in previous inspections, and found to be reclaimed and blended with the surrounding <br /> landscape. <br /> Two alluvial wells were reclaimed adjacent to Calamity draw in Section 6. GW-N-40 had been flooded out <br /> earlier this spring. This reclaimed well is in deep grass in a wet area. Due to the dense grass and hummocky <br /> ground, the exact location was not located of the reclaimed well. The reclaimed monitoring well blends <br /> seamlessly with the surrounding area. The second reclaimed alluvial well in GW-N39 is located south of the <br /> reclaimed topsoil stockpile E. This reclaimed monitoring well,blends in well with surrounding vegetation and <br /> no bare area is left at this location. <br /> Summary and Conclusions <br /> With the exception of the ten (11)reclaimed monitoring wells, the application is not requesting Phase III <br /> bond Release. Based upon a review of the mine permit, the applicant's bond release application, and site <br /> inspections, the Division finds that Elk Ridge Mining and Reclamation, LLC has completed reclaiming <br /> the eleven monitoring wells at the New Horizon Mine in accordance with the approved reclamation plan. <br /> IV. PROPOSED DECISION <br /> Based on the observations above, the Division proposes to approve Elk Ridge Mining and Reclamation, <br /> LLC's request for a Partial Phase I, II, and III bond release for the New Horizon Mine. This proposed <br /> decision will release the applicant from liability for: all reclamation work on eleven reclaimed monitoring <br /> wells. Specifically wells GW-N41, GW-N42, GW-N43, GW-N16P1, GW-17P1, GW-N19P1,MFBF-71, <br /> MW BF-63, GW-N-40, GW-N39, and GW-N3. <br /> PHASE I <br /> The Division proposes to approve Phase I bond release on 2.7 acres of Dryland Pasture located in the <br /> southeast quarter of Section 6 (topsoil stockpile E footprint). The Division proposes to approve Phase I <br /> bond release on 1.9 acres located in the southeast quarter of Section 36 that have been reclaimed to <br /> permanent stock pond SP2. And the Division proposes to approve Phase I bond release on 16.3 acres of <br /> Irrigated Pasture and 3.6 acres of Dryland Pasture (Parcels DP-10, DP-12, and DP-13) located in south <br /> C1981008 SL25 Page 13 of 14 <br />