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power line in the 2-West Portals vicinity were reclaimed in 2001. The two sets of road culverts have been removed and replaced with dips or "low water crossings" as approved. A relocated ephemeral channel segment just south of the reclaimed North Portal is an approved permanent channel, for which proper P.E. construction certification dated 6/27/01 has been provided (Tab 6 of the bond release application). The road to and through the disturbed area is approved as a permanent structure for the postmining land use. Documentation submitted by the applicant indicates that backfilling and grading in this area was conducted in compliance with the approved plan. This assessment is supported by observations and measurements made during a joint OSM/BLM/DMG inspection on August 14, 15, and 24, 2001, and the bond release inspection of May 20, 2003. Two west portal reclaimed slopes blend smoothly into the adjacent hillslopes, with no highwall remnants or indications of instability. Proposed final reclamation cross-sections on Exhibit 58 indicate slightly concave slope configurations, with gradient of 33% for the North Portal and 46% for the South Portal. During the inspection of August 24, 2001, the North Portal backfill gradient was estimated with an abney level to be approximately 34%, and the South Portal backfill gradient was estimated to be approximately 38%. Both slopes are slightly concave, as depicted in the approved design, becoming steeper with increasing elevation. The slopes were graded relatively rough, however it was apparent during the May 20, 2003 inspection that, in the three years since grading was completed, the shallow track-hoe gouges have substantially filled in. Very little erosion was evident. Silt fence and berm sediment controls were in place in accordance with the approved design, and were properly maintained. Sediment control berms will need to be maintained until vegetation demonstrations allow for their removal, and adequate bond will need to be retained for future elimination of the berms. The compressor and substation site and associated overburden stockpile location occupy a gentle slope location on the top of a rounded bench. The graded areas were properly roughened and graded to blend into the adjacent terrain. The permanent channel at the Two West Portals appeared to be constructed in accordance with the approved design. Minor erosion repair and riprap installation requested during the inspection of August 14, 2001, had been repaired within two weeks following that inspection. Specifically, downcutting approximately 1 foot deep was observed at the lower end of the permanent relocated channel road dip, and repairs (grading and riprap placement) were requested. The eroded area was properly graded, a synthetic mat was laid down, and large sandstone riprap had been firmly set in place over the mat. These repairs have held up well, and no problems were noted with respect to the channel or road dip during the May 2003 bond release inspection. The Division finds that backfilling and grading operations have been properly completed in the 2 West Portals facility area. Revegetation is not a component of the Phase 1 bond release evaluation. However, the relatively steep upper portions of the reclaimed portal slopes are essentially devoid of vegetation, in contrast to relatively successful establishment of seeded shrubs and grasses on lower portions of the portal slopes, and adjacent reclaimed sites in the vicinity of the portals. Based on these observations that were noted during the bond release inspection, the operator has conducted soil sampling to evaluate apparent reasons for the poor establishment observed, and remedial revegetation treatments are under consideration. BLM is the surface landowner in the 2 West Portals area. In addition to recommending consideration of remedial revegetation treatment, BLM has requested that the vegetation sampling procedure to be used for future Phase 3 final bond release be tailored to ensure representative sampling of the 2 West Portals disturbance area. The Division finds this recommendation to be reasonable and appropriate, and will require that the revegetation sampling procedure to be used in future bond release applications will ensure representative sampling of the 2 West Portals Area. The 2 West Portals reclaimed area will not be "lumped in" with larger reclaimed parcels such as the South Mine facilities or North Decline, but will instead be separately grouped with smaller outlying disturbances for vegetation sampling and revegetation success evaluation purposes. Phase I Bond Release 12 Augus[ 15, 2003