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III. OBSERVATION AND FINDINGS Slurco Corporation has applied for a final, or Phase III, bond release at the Canadian Strip Mine. The application was deemed complete on September 8, 1998. The Division evaluated the bond release application through several means. First, DMG inspected the property and reviewed past inspection reports. Second, the DMG reviewed the vegetation data submitted in the bond release application. Third, the evaluation of hydrologic impacts was compared to the statement of probable hydrologic consequences presented in the permit application. Lastly, the reclaimed mine site and supporting information were evaluated to determine whether the post mining land uses were achieved. The mine site inspection was conducted on October 7, 1998. Present on the inspection were: Mr. Dale Moore, a landowner; Randy Pair representing [he Office of Surface Mining; Sandra Brown representing the Division; and Paul Gayer of KN Energy and Jerry Koblitz of Greystone representing Slurco Corporation. A representative of the Bureau of Land Management did not participate in the inspection. Overall, the site is very well reclaimed as a sage grassland community. Two sediment ponds have been approved as permanent structures, Pond 1 in the north and Pond 2 in the south. Pond 1 was dry which is normal for this time of year. A wetland community dominated by cattails has become established in this pond. Pond 2 contained some water, but it was not dischazging. A settling crack is apparent along the contour on the western pond slope. The crack occurred shortly after grading and no movement has been noted for several years. A third sediment pond in the southeast comer of the permit azea was reclaimed in 1991. Vegetation establishment in the pond area is adequate to control erosion and is similaz to [he remainder of the reclaimed mine site. One ground water monitoring well remains on site. It has been approved as a permanent well at the request of Mr. Moore who has obtained a well permit from the State Engineers Office. During the October 7, 1998 inspection, Mr. Koblitz measured the ground water level at 50.3 feet below the top of the casing. A settling crack was observed along the eastern edge of the mine area. The crack was two to three inches wide and was observed intermittently for approximately 100 feet. No stability concerns were observed. Minor rill and gully maintenance has been ongoing at the mine site. The areas are stable. All roads have been reclaimed at the mine site. However, there is a two track grassy path from the county road [o Pond 1. The track was seeded with the with the rest of the mine site. Mr. Moore said he uses this track to gain access to his property, and he wants it to stay. No erosion problems were observed. Canadian Strip Mine 3 November I8, 1998 Permit No. C-81-026 Final Bond Release