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5 <br />II. CRITERIA AND SCHEDULE FOR BOND RELEASE <br />PHASE I <br />Rule 3.03.1(2)(a) states, "Up to sixty percent of the applicable bond amount shall be released when <br />the permittee successfully completes backfilling, regrading, and drainage control in accordance with <br />the approved reclamation plan." <br />The Red Canyon Mine surface dismrbance area is situated at the upper end of a southerly oriented <br />draw with an ephemeral drainage which flows only in response to heavy storm runoff or due to <br />irrigation runoff from agricultural lands nonh of the property. The mine portals, a ventilation shaft, <br />coal stockpile and associated facilities were located at the upper end of the disturbed area, with the <br />sediment pond located further down the draw. There was extensive pre-law disturbance throughout <br />the 26.4 acre disturbed area. During mine operations (1978-1985), underground development waste <br />was disposed of in abandoned strip pits on the slope to the east of the draw. An office trailer and <br />other ancillary facilities had been located on a bench to the west of the draw. Reclamation, including <br />portal sealing, facilities removal, backfilling and grading, construction of a riprapped permanent <br />drainage channel through the reclaimed valley bottom, and revegetation, was completed in 1988. <br />Phase I bond release was approved b;~ the Division on October 13, 1989, with concurrence of OS`~2. <br />PHASE II and III <br />Following approval of Phase 1 bond release, the sediment pond was approved for retention as a <br />permanent impoundment, and a transmission line and segment of the haul road (to allow future access <br />to the transmissio n line) were also approved for retention, at the request of the operator/landowner <br />and the Delta Montrose Electric Association. Some final drainage reclamation work, including re- <br />routing of the lower segment of the major drainage channel into the impoundment, was completed in <br />1997. The surface of the remaining road segment was also ripped and seeded in 1997, in compliance <br />with permit requirements. The road segment was retained for the postmine land use due to the need <br />for future access. The road surface was ripped and seeded with grasses, primarily to minimize the <br />potential for noxious weed invasion. The revegetated road surface will still allow for the infrequent <br />vehicular access envisioned for the postmine land use. <br />The entire permit area encompassed 610 acres, extending to the north and west of the surface <br />dismrbance area. Approved affected area was 250 acres, including both "E" seam and underlying "D" <br />seam workings. "D" seam workings were never developed, and the total area actually affected by <br />surface dismrbance and underground workings was approximately 150 acres. Coal extraction ratio was <br />limited to between 50% and 55%, to prevent subsidence related material damage to alluvial aquifers, <br />stream channels, irrigation structures, and residences. <br />