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The drainage control system was found in good condition during the inspection. Water monitoring <br />continues under the approved plan. No surface or sub-surface water pollution due to mining at this <br />site has been identified through past or present monitoring. Surface water runoff has been minimal, <br />as both Pond 003 and Pond 004 have remained dry for the majority of time since reclamation began. <br />Ponds were observed as dry during the inspection. Mine flooding is anticipated, but has yet to reach <br />a level that can be measured by one of three water monitoring points, GEM-l, GEM-2, and GEM-3. <br />GEM-1 is the Intake Shaft location labeled South Intake on Map 18 and GEM-2 is [he site labeled <br />3N Intake. Both of these sites continue to be part of the approved hydrologic monitoring plan and <br />BRI is required to retain access to these locations via any agreements with Stroud Oil, the gas estate <br />operator. GEM-3 is located at the Bleeder Return, which is not part of this industrial land use bond <br />release request. Industrial sites are in compliance with Rule 4.15.10(2), as erosion is not occurring <br />at these sites. Due to their relatively small size and the fact that the sites are interspersed among the <br />native vegetative community, these sites do not require the use of greenbelts for use as food and <br />cover for wildlife. Therefore, the Division finds the industrial sites are also in compliance with Rule <br />4.18(5)(k). <br />Areas Over(vine Underground Workinp,~ <br />Two longwall panels, SW 1 and SW2, were mined south of Highway 12 at the Golden Eagle mine, <br />from July of 1989 to January of 1991. The panel layout is clearly depicted on Map 17, Subsidence <br />Monuments, of the approved permit application. The subject lands therefore meet the criteria of a <br />minimum liability period of three years after mining, in accordance with Division policy. During <br />the bond release inspection, two ground cracks of limited extent were observed south of the SW2 <br />longwall panel. The width of these cracks rarely exceeded 6 inches and had partially filled in with <br />sediment, soil, and sloughage since mining some 7-8 years ago. Two other areas, one east of the <br />longwall mined area, and one northwest of the longwall mined area, were traversed on foot during <br />the inspection. No evidence of subsidence could be positively identified. Subsidence cracks of this <br />nature do not appear to have any appreciable affect on the environment. <br />One area south of Highway 12 was monitored for subsidence during active mining. Eight <br />subsidence monuments were established along the railroad tracks over the 3rd North Main. <br />Monitoring of these points was conducted to demonstrate no appreciable subsidence over the 3rd <br />North Main. Data collected indicated no evidence of subsidence, with an average movement of -.OS <br />feet, which is within acceptable survey error. Areas north of the highway were monitored for both <br />commencement and magnitude of subsidence due to longwall mining. Based on review of these <br />data, vertical and horizontal changes due to longwall subsidence are nearly fully manifested within <br />two years subsequent to mining, and a negligible amount of subsidence is typically measured after <br />that period. Since mining south of Highway 12 occurred 7-8 years ago, it is likely that all <br />subsidence impacts have materialized, and any further subsidence in this area will be insignificant. <br />Due [o depth of cover, it is very unlikely that any additional subsidence would have a negative <br />impact to the environment. Subsidence impacts observed have no appreciable effect on the land use <br />of rangeland and wildlife habitat. <br />Two areas of surface disturbance from the New Elk Mine have also been incorporated into the <br />Golden Eagle permit area. (See also MR-79, New Elk Permit rYC-81-O12) These two areas are <br />reclaimed ventilation shaft locations, both located in the Left Fork of Apache Canyon. These two <br />5 <br />