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mine site seeded. The revegetation appeared to be that as described in the Application (see Photograph at Enclosure 1). There did not appear to be an unusual degree of difficulty with regazd to the remaining reclamation operations (reclamation of the sedimentation pond and drainage structures, removal of signs and markers, and cutoff of the mine portal drain). There were no erosional features or other indication of pollution of surface or subsurface water, and there did not appear a probability of future occurrence of such pollution. The Division finds that the Phase II vegetative requirement has been met on the Eastside Mine for vegetation establishment. Although diversity and woody plant establishment are not required to demonstrate successful vegetation establishment on the Eastside Mine, the Division finds Eastside Coal Company has established a diverse vegetative community accentuated with robust native shrubs. Four perennial grasses have been established at greater than 3% relative cover, with no one species dominating the site. The most dominant species on the site is Intermediate wheatgrass with 33% relative cover. Two forb species were measured at greater than 3% relative cover, one of which, Cicer milkvetch, was measured at 29% relative cover. Eastside Coa] Company found that four shrub species composed 18%o relative cover. Visual inspection of the site by the Division found these shrubs to be robust and healthy with sizes ranging from 18 inches to 4 feet in height. All the species present in the seed mix were present on the reclaimed mine azea during sampling in 2000. The reclaimed community is diverse and is composed of desirable species. During the Bond Release inspection, held on May 29, 2001, no noxious weeds were noted. Contribution of Suspended Solids The initial application indicated compliance with effluent standards by noting that no sediment had collected in the sedimentation pond. In response to a Division request for a more comprehensive demonstration of compliance, the Applicant revised the application to include an analysis by use of the Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation (RUBLE). The RUBLE equation is: A = (R)(K)(L.S)(C)(P) Where A is [he gross erosion per acre per yeaz, R is the erosivity of rainfall and runoff, K is the soil erodibiliry, LS is the hill slope-length and gradient, C is the cover management, and P is the Support Practice. The applicant indicated that the only variable of the equation that changed from premising to postmitting conditions was C, i.e., vegetative cover. As the vegetative cover of the reclaimed area is demonstrated as more dense (a lower C factor) that the premising condition or adjacent azeas, the gross erosion per acre (A) is necessarily less for the reclaimed azea. The premise is that there is a direct correlation between gross erosion and contribution of suspended solids. A review of monthly (1997 to present) Dischazge Monitoring Reports (Colorado Division of Public Health and Environment) indicates no recorded dischazge from the sedimentation ponds. A review of Annual Hydrologic Reports (1996 to present) found no recorded incidence of runoff from the site. A review of Division monthly inspection reports (]99] to present) found no recorded incidence of runoff or dischazge from the site, nor any dischazge of water from the mine portal. An inspection of the Hazvey Gap drainage was conducted on Mazch 16, 2000. There was no indication of any surface runoff from Phase II Bond Release (SL-02), Eastside Coal Mine 15 August 2001 Page 7 of ]0 Pages