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with the wells. The pads have been included in previous releases and/or will be included in future bond <br /> release requests. <br /> Wells MN BF-66 and 67 are located on private property that had recently been sold from ERMR to <br /> new landowners the Friday before the April 10, 2024 inspection. The Division was notified of the sale <br /> during the April 10, 2024 inspection. The parcel that MN BF-66 was on was sold to Garvey and CO., <br /> LLC. The Parcel MN BF-67 was on was sold to Mr.James Fourney. The two landowners were notified <br /> by ERMR of the requested bond release in letters dated April 22, 2024. The Division was unable to <br /> inspect the precise GPS point for these two locations on April I Oth due to them being on private land. <br /> The Division inspected these two wells from the side of the roads. Each of the five sites of the <br /> monitoring backfill wells was stable and in good condition. There was no disturbance to the sites <br /> observed caused by the abandonment process for the wells. No cap or marker was left on the surface <br /> of the locations of the wells, indicating that the top five feet were backfilled with native soil. Both well <br /> casings were sealed by placing clean sand in the bottom of the well. The filling the well casing up to <br /> 5 feet below the surface with bentonite chips. The last 5 feet of the well casing was removed and then <br /> backfilled with native soil. No evidence of a monitoring well remained at the five sites. Please refer <br /> to photos eight through twelve for the backfill wells inspected on April 10, 2024. <br /> The Division was able to get in touch with Garvey and CO., LLC and was granted permission by the <br /> landowner to access their land on the Division's May 29, 2024 inspection. The Division used Field <br /> Maps to locate the spot where MN BF-66 was located. The site was stable with no erosional features. <br /> The activities of sealing and abandoning the well did not impact the surface. No marker or casing were <br /> identified indicating that the five feet from the surface had the casing removed as written in the <br /> abandonment report. <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 successfully completed all surface coal <br /> mining reclamation operations in accordance with the approved reclamation plan and met all requirements <br /> of the Act and the Rules. The five backfill monitoring wells and 7 exploration holes have been sealed <br /> and abandoned as per the C-1981-008 Permit Application requirements and Rule 2.07.3(2). <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 Phase I, II and III bond release for the New Horizon Mine. This proposed decision <br /> will release the applicant from liability for sealing and abandoning 5 groundwater monitoring wells and 7 <br /> exploration holes. <br /> PHASE I,PHASE H and PHASE III <br /> The Division holds a performance bond of$2,522,994.00 for the New Horizon Mine. The current liability <br /> C-1981-008 SL-28 Page 8 of 10 <br />