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r 17 classes. Patches of big sagebrush and rubber rabbitbrush are also present in scattered locations. An excellent grass understory is present in most areas, dominated by bluebunch wheatgrass, with lesser amounts of western wheatgras s, Indian ricegrass, and intermediate wheatgrass on upland slopes; and basin wildrye, smooth brome, kentucky bluegrass, orchard grass, timothy, and tall fescue along the reclaimed drainage channel and other low-lying areas. The reclamation provides excellent forage for mule deer due to the abundance of grasses and browse, and the presence of adjacent cover provided by the surrounding pinyon-juniper woodland. Past inspection reports document the presence of mule deer on the site during most parts of the year, with elk sign common in winter. Cottontail rabbits are also abundant on the reclaimed area, and a pair of redtailed hawks have nested on one of the ofd power poles on site in recent years. Several rabbits and a redtailed hawk were observed during the bond release inspection, along with fresh deer tracks and scat. The permanent impoundment effectively extends the period of time that water is available on the site, and should further benefit wildlife use of the property. Summary and Conclusions Based upon a review of the mine permit, the applicant's bond release application, and site inspections, the Division finds that MINREC, INC., has successfully comple[ed all surface coal mining reclamation operations at the Red Canyon Mine in accordance with the approved reclamation plan, and has met all requirements of the Act and the Rules. The reclaimed area will support the approved postmine land use and the reclaimed lands will not contribute suspended solids to streamflow or runoff outside the permit area in excess ofpre-mining levels or in excess of adjacent non-mined areas. IV. PROPOSED DECISION Based on the observations above, the Division proposes to approve MINREC's request for a Phase II and III bond release for the Red Canyon Mine. Upon final approval, this proposed decision will release the applicant from all liability for reclamation work at the Red Canyon Mine, within the entire permit area as described in the permit document and bond release application. The original performance bond for the Red Canyon Mine was $190,000.00, which applied to the current permit area and a rail loadout facility in Delta, Colorado. On June 9, 1987, the Division released the Delta loadout facility from he permit and reduced the bond amount to $185,000.00. On October 13, 1989, the Division approved a Phase I bond release for the current permit area, and released 60% of the bond, retaining the current total bond amount of $74,000.00. The Division currently holds a performance bond of $74,000.00. Based on the observations above,