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implemented by the landowner. The landowner has requested that the site be left in its <br />current condition. <br />The facilities area construction occurred prior to August 3, 1977, so no topsoil was <br />salvaged prior to its disturbance. Accordingly, no topsoil was required to be replaced. <br />In accordance with Rule 4.15.10(3), revegetation of the area was not required, as the pre- <br />mising and post-mining land uses were industrial. The disturbed areas surrounding the <br />remaining structures are gravel surfaced, enabling the Division to determine that <br />revegetation is not necessary to control erosion. Observations of sediment levels in the <br />Yampa River sedimentation pond, which treats all facilities area runoff, indicate that <br />there is little or no sediment contribution from the disturbed areas over the past ten <br />years. <br />Rule 3.03.1(3)(c), in setting forth the maximum allowable release of bond amounts, states <br />that "[w]here a silt dam is to be retained as a permanent impoundment as described in <br />4.05.6 or 4.05.9, more than sixty (60) percent of the bond may be released only so long <br />as provisions for sound future maintenance by the permittee or landowner have been <br />made with the Division." The Division is proposing to release the full performance bond <br />since the Yampa River sediment pond will be retained. No maintenance or <br />sedimentation removal has been necessary on the pond. The landowner has indicated <br />he will maintain the pond, following bond release, as he sees fit. <br />Summary and Conclusions <br />Based upon a review of the mine permit, the applicant's bond release application, and <br />site inspections, the Division finds that Sun Coal Company has successfully completed all <br />surface coal mining reclamation operations at the facilities area in accordance with the <br />approved reclamation plan and met all requirements of the Act and the Rules. <br />IV. PROPOSED DECISION <br />Based on the observations above, the Division proposes to approve Sun Coal Company's <br />request for a Phase III bond release for the facilities area at the Meadows No. 1 Mine. <br />Upon fmal approval, this proposed decision will release the applicant from all liability <br />for reclamation work at the facilities area. <br />The specific area proposed for release is the facilities area, as shown on Map 1 of this <br />document. The area for release encompasses approximately 31.5 acres. <br />The original performance bond required for the Meadows No. 1 Mine was $1,780,000.00. <br />Phase I bond release of $456,583.00 was granted for bacldilling and grading of the pit <br />area on June 12, 1986. A partial release of $745,340.00 was granted for the haul road <br />on October 3, 1986. A final bond release ($229,300.00) was approved for the haul road <br />Mudavs No. 1 Mine 6 Phasc III Bond Rclwsc <br />