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'III. OBSERVATION AND FINDINGS P&M has applied for Phase I bond release on 342.5 acres in the Moffat Area. The approved post-mining topography map is found on Exhibit 3.4-1 of the permit application. The Division evaluated P&M's backfilling and grading and drainage reestablishment through several means. First, DMG examined the maps supplied by P&M to determine whether approximate original topography had been achieved. In the bond release application submitted by P&M, the operator supplied an as-built post- mining topography map (Exhibit 1) and certified cross-sections (Exhibits 2-5) at representative locations which show the as-built topography compared to the approved post-mining topography. Also used in the analysis was the approved post-mining topography map from the permit application, Exhibit 3.4-1. Comparison of the approved post-mining topography map with the regraded topography shows the mined land approximates the approved general aspect, drainage patterns and drainage gradients. There was also a close comparison between the as-built topographies on the cross sections and profiles that had been supplied in the bond release package. The number of drainages has been reduced by one, but two smaller drainages were combined into one larger drainage, the final pit drainage. The Division also reviewed the approved and as-built post-rrtining topography using the AutoCAD map files supplied by P&M. Reclaimed slopes ranged from 31 % on the upper hillslopes to 9 %on the lower slopes. No problems were noted. Spoils from the initial box cut at the Moffat Area were cast southward onto previously mined spoils. These spoils were not needed to achieve approximate original contour in the final pit and a stability analysis demonstrated that along-term static safety factor of safety of 1.5 could be achieved. No problems have been observed to date. The second means by which the success of the backfilling and grading and drainage establishment were evaluated was through the bond release inspection. An inspection of the Moffat Area was conducted on July 21, 1998. Participating in the inspection were representatives of the Colorado Division of Minerals and Geology, the Office of Surface Mining and P&M Coal Company. A representative from the Bureau of Land Management declined to attend. During this inspection, an evaluation was made of the overall compliance with the approved backfilling and grading plan and the drainage establishment. On-site observations included: cross-section and profile gradients of the drainages, the success of the reclaimed topography in achieving slope stability and in covering all highwalls, the blending of the regraded landscape with the surrounding areas and the proper functioning of the drainage and sediment control system. Backfilled and graded areas blend in well with the surrounding topography. A crack, approximately 200 feet long and 2 feet deep with a l0 inch displacement was observed in the southern end of the Moffat area. This type of feature is typically found after replaced Edna Mine 4 Bond Release No. 4 C-80-001 October 26, 1998