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without the information requested. Any decision to concur or <br />disagree with a release of additional bond will be based on <br />the information at hand and conditions observed on the ground <br />at the time of the bond release inspection. <br />After introduction of participants the release area was walked <br />starting along the south slope of the east pit area, advancing <br />to the top of the east pit, along the top to the north flat <br />area and topsoil pile, over the north slope and around the <br />west slope of the east pit area. From this location we walked <br />north on the road along the eastern edge of the alluvial <br />valley floor, across the creek and up and around the barren <br />ridge area. From this location we continued to climb up into <br />the pinon-juniper to the dryland vegetation reference area. <br />After evaluation of all available material including-the <br />information obtained from the site visit I do not concur with <br />the release of any additional bond at this time. The <br />strongest support for this decision was from the conditions <br />observed on the ground during the inspection. In back of this <br />is the fact that certain requirements must be met in <br />preparation for a bond release. These requirements must be <br />documented. I have received no proof that these requirements <br />have been met. <br />During the inspection numerous rills and gullies were observed <br />throughout the release area. Kaiser contends that this <br />erosion was due to a storm which was in excess df a 100 year <br />event. Attempts had been made to repair the deeper of the <br />gullies which was s,~nnPCSf„1._iii_some_ cases and unsuccessful in <br />others. During these attempts vegetaton~has been removed. <br />There were no indications that the areas had been reseeded nor <br />was any mulch evident. The areas where the vegetation has <br />been removed is typically the width of a dozer blade along the <br />length of the gullies. Whether this would have any change on <br />the amount of vegetation required for a Phase II release is <br />not known but it has not been addressed. The amount of <br />erosion, however does not indicate the site is ready for a <br />Phase II bond release. <br />Ponds 2, 9 and 5 all show recent deposits of sediment which <br />would indicate erosion in excess of what would be expected for <br />a stable site. This supports the above evidence of active <br />erosion. <br />A section of the east pit access road has been relocated at <br />the bottom of the slope. The area where the road was located <br />has not been properly reclaimed and is not acceptable for a <br />Phase II release. <br />The area at the bottom of the barren ridge where the road at <br />one time crossed the creek has not been reshaped or topsoiled. <br />4 <br />