Laserfiche WebLink
7. Erosional features;and <br /> 8. Drainage control for the reclaimed area,including upslope diversions. <br /> Colowyo's approved reclamation plan was prepared in accordance with Rule 2.05.4. Colowyo was granted a <br /> variance for contemporaneous reclamation for the East Pit, West Pit and the South Taylor Pit due to the nature of <br /> multi-seam mining. Backfilling and rough grading commenced once a steady-state condition was reached in each <br /> of the pits. <br /> The approved backfilling and grading plan for the Colowyo Mine is found in Volume 1 (East and West Pit),Volume <br /> 12(South Taylor),and Volume 15(Collom)of the PAP. Maps 19, 19A, 1913-ST and 19C show the approved post- <br /> mining topography,Maps 29 and 29-ST, and 29B show the backfilling and grading schedule. The pre-mining and <br /> post-mining cross-sections are shown on Maps 20,20A,20B,and 20C and the permanent drainage channel profiles <br /> are shown on Maps 33,33A,3313,and 33C. <br /> The approved drainage reestablishment consisted of the design and construction of permanent post mining drainage <br /> channels. The post-mine channel locations are shown on Maps 41A, 41B and 41C of the Colowyo PAP. The <br /> Streeter South Side Ditch design criteria can be found in Item 14 Appendix Exh. 7-14SP of the Colowyo PAP. <br /> PHASE II <br /> The Division evaluated Colowyo's request for partial Phase I,II and III Bond Release on 1.8 acres in the East Pit, <br /> comprised of Streeter South Side Ditch, as referenced in the SL-25 application and as shown on Figure 1 of this <br /> document.The process of releasing the reclamation bond for a coal mine site in Colorado is explained in Rule 3.03 <br /> and further described in the Division's 1995 Guideline Regarding Selected Coal Mining Bond Release Issues. The <br /> bond release process involves three phases. At Phase II,Rule 3.03.1(2)(b)states,"Up to eighty-five percent of the <br /> applicable bond amount shall be released upon the establishment of vegetation which supports the approved <br /> postmining land use and which meets the approved success stand for cover,pursuant to 4.15.8,meets applicable <br /> productivity standards for prime farmlands or alluvial valley floors pursuant to 3.03.1(3)(b),or croplands pursuant <br /> to 4.15.9. With the exception of prime farmlands,evaluation of vegetation establishment pursuant to this paragraph <br /> is based on statistically valid data collected during a single year of the liability period." In regard to Phase II bond <br /> release,Rule 3.03.1(3)(b)also states,'No more than(60)percent of the bond shall be released so long as the lands <br /> to which the release would be applicable are contributing suspended solids to streamflow or runoff outside the permit <br /> area in excess of premining levels as determined by baseline data or in excess of levels determined on adjacent <br /> nonmined areas". <br /> Although not specifically addressed in Rule 3.03,the Division evaluates topsoil replacement in conformance with <br /> Rule 4.06 and permit requirements as a component of Phase II bond release. Evaluation and inspection of the <br /> reclaimed areas was based on the specific requirements of the reclamation plan and the functional requirements of <br /> the post-mining land use.However,for permanent post-mining channels,there are no topsoil requirements,and this <br /> was not evaluated for Streeter South Side Ditch being requested for partial Phase II Bond Release as part of the SL- <br /> 25 application.Similarly to topsoil,for permanent post-mining channels,there are no vegetation cover requirements, <br /> and this was also not evaluated for the Streeter South Side Ditch. <br /> PHASE III <br /> The Division evaluated Colowyo's request for partial Phase I,II and III Bond Release on 1.8 acres in the East Pit, <br /> comprised of Streeter South Side Ditch, as referenced in the SL-25 application and as shown on Figure 1 of this <br /> document.The process of releasing the reclamation bond for a coal mine site in Colorado is explained in Rule 3.03 <br /> and further described in the Division's 1995 Guideline Regarding Selected Coal Mining Bond Release Issues. The <br /> bond release process involves three phases. At Phase III, Rule 3.03.1(2)(c) states, "The remaining portion of the <br /> bond amount shall be released when the permittee has successfully completed all surface coal mining reclamation <br /> Proposed Decision and Findings of Compliance <br /> Partial Phase I,II and III Bond Release SL-25 Page 6 of 14 <br />