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received written objections from a second Rancho Escondido landowner, dated November I5, 1997. However, comments objecting to a bond release must be received within 30 days of notification to the property owner, or 30 days from the field inspection, whichever is later. October 23, 1997, 30 days after the field inspection, was the latest date for comments to be received and considered with regard to this bond release. Therefore, comments from this landowner were not considered as part of this bond release. The Division scheduled and conducted a bond release inspection on September 23, 1997. The site inspection was conducted in accordance with Rule 3.03.2(2). Kent Gorham represented the Division of Minerals and Geology. Ron Thompson of BRI represented the applicant. Mitch Rollings of the Office of Surface Mining also attended the inspection. No other interested parties were in attendance for the bond release inspection. CRiTERiA AND SCHEDULE FOR BOND RELEASE Rule 3.03.1(2)(a) states, "Up to sixty (60) percent of the applicable bond amount shall be released when the permittee successfully completes backfilling, regrading, and drainage control in accordance with the approved plan". The approved reclamation plan calls for re-grading of the area to the approved post-mining topography as shown on Map l3 of the permit. Apre-mining topographic map of the area on ten foot contours was apparently not available when the mine was originally permitted. The disturbed surface area is to be rounded and shaped to blend into the existing topography and avoid long or steep slope areas where possible. This bond release (SL-01) is the first for this site. The amount subject to this release is $1,128,124.00. Sixty (60) percent of this amount is 5676,874.00 Overall, the regraded area matches well to the approved configuration shown on Map 13. The lands to which this Phase I bond release is applicable are contained within the red-dashed line on Map 13 labeled "Dssrurbance Boundary". However, this disturbance boundary over-defines the actual disturbed area, which is only a subset of the total area within the boundary. Locating disturbed area markers at the immediate edge of the reclaimed areas will benefit future identification of mine- related disturbance. Four slope measurements were taken during the bond release inspection on the slope immediately south of the railroad [racks. These measurements indicate slopes are slightly less steep than the approved 20%. Some rills and gullies were noted in the reclaimed area of the tipple and loadout. Until vegetation is better established, these areas will likely require regular monitoring and maintenance following significant runoff events. The limited erosion observed would not impact the proposed land use of rangeland for this area. Some ground settlement in the vicinity of the backfilled portal was noted. Since the inspection, this area was re-graded to restore positive drainage to Ciruela Canyon to the east. Drainage control consists of both sheet Flow and channelized flow. Drainage patterns are modified by both the permanent road and the railroad tracks, both of which bisect the disturbed area. Culverts which remain at the site are necessary to route water under the road and the railroad tracks. The drainage control system appears to be functioning well in the post-mining phase. Down cutting or channel erosion is limited and will likely be minimal when vegetation becomes permanently established. Water monitoring continues under 4