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• The Colorado Mined Land Reclamation Act came into force just as mining <br />reached the crest of east ridge as shown on the map. The most <br />significant change under this law was the addition of a requirement to <br />salvage and replace topsoil. Since the preparation of an area for <br />mining preceeds the actual mining operation, it was not possible to <br />salvage topsoil on all of the area mined under this law immediately <br />after its effective date as shown by the map. However, the grading and <br />revegetation standards were met on all of the area where these rules <br />applied (Area E, Map 1). Also at this time, the practice of approving <br />the seed mixes used In revegetation prior to seeding was instituted so <br />that it Is implied that the type of vegetation occurring on the <br />reclaimed areas Is in compliance with the bond release criteria <br />concerning the diversity of the plants and it only remains to be proven <br />that the cover is extensive enough and capable enough. Primarily, the <br />areas covered by this law are a small area at the top of east ridge, <br />the south of shop area, center ridge, and the draw between center ridge <br />and west ridge (Areas E, F, G, H, I, J, K, Map 1). You will note In <br />the south of shop area and at the top of east ridge, that there is an <br />area of previous mining that was reaffected by mining that was <br />reclaimed to the more stringent standards of the 1969 Law to the extent <br />possible. That is the revegetation and grading was brought up to <br />standards but, the topsoil had been lost and could not be replaced. <br />III. Description of the "Life of Mine" bond <br />• The bond associated with the "Life of Mine" permit was Intended to <br />cover the entire Ilfe of the Edna Mlne. To accomplish this, It <br />Included not only all of the land that was Intended to be mined in the <br />future, but past mining and its associated bonds. Reclamation costs <br />for the entire mine were calculated the same way so the preceding bonds <br />were released and the remaining liability costs calculated as if they <br />were new. The categories of disturbance used In the bond correspond to <br />the regulations in paragraph 2.12(4) of the 1977 rules as shown below: <br />Ma1or disturbance - that area of a mining operation which Includes <br />excavations, overburden spoils, and topsoil stockpiles. <br />Moderate disturbance - that area of a mining operation which is a <br />result of backfllling of an open cut, stabilization of waste <br />dumps, the leveling of overburden spoils, the smooth grading and <br />the distribution of topsoil or other suitable approved plant <br />growth medium. Also includes, within the affected area, on-site <br />private ways, roads, railroads, evaporation or settling ponds, <br />leaching dumps, work, parking, storage or waste discharge areas, <br />and areas in which structures, facilities, equipment, machines, <br />tools or other materials or property which result from or are used <br />in the mining operation are situated. <br />Minor disturbance - that area of a mining operation which fs <br />undergoing preparation immediately prior to planting or seeding, <br />• Is being planted or seeded, or has been planted or seeded and has <br />