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<br /> <br />release application (SL-06). Re-established drainage densities and locations appear analogous to <br />drainage densities depicted in Map 46. <br />Backfilling and grading at Mine No. 2 was conducted during 1979 and 1980. Documentation of the <br />backfilling and grading work can be found in inspection reports from 1979 and 1980, under permit <br />nos. 76-16 and 79-177. Colorado Yampa Coal Company employed the use of contour furrows on the <br />reclaimed lands. These furrows have held up throughout the 16-18 years since reclamation, do not <br />hinder the movement of the cattle, and aid in controlling erosion. <br />At the South side of the East block, two gullies had formed up slope of the reclaimed azea. These <br />gullies cut 2-3 feet deep through an azea undisturbed by mining, but upon reaching the azea reclaimed <br />with contour furrows, they had only cut down approximately 3-4 inches, then dissipated altogether. <br />During the October 14, 1997 inspection, the Division advised the operator to assure that run-on from <br />the up slope gullies was directed to the drainage feeding livestock pond U-b, instead of across the <br />reclaimed slope. At the onset of the November 18, 1997 follow-up inspection, this work had not been <br />enacted During the course of the November 18, 1997 inspection, the operator redefined the <br />southernmost contour furrow to direct tvn-on into livestock pond U-b drainage. This adjustment was <br />acceptable. <br />PHASE II <br />All topsoil stockpiles, with the exception of TS 3-3, have been redistributed on the reclaimed land at <br />Mine No. 2. TS 3-3 will be distributed upon reclamation of pond K. Topsoil was salvaged, <br />stockpiled or direct hauled, and redistributed during 1979 and 1980 as documented in Division <br />inspection reports. <br />Mine No. 2 area was seeded with a pastureland seed mix. The approved pastureland seed mix was <br />submitted with the bond release application as Exhibit A. Mine No. 2 areas were seeded in 1979, <br />1980, 1981, and 1982. <br />Vegetative cover data was collected during July and August 1995 and 1996. Methods used to <br />determine transect location and data collection are described on permit pages 779-107(a). Cover data <br />was collected to sample adequacy for each bond release block and for the pasture reference area. <br />Review of the vegetative cover data collected in 1995 finds that vegetative cover of the East Block <br />exceeded the vegetative cover of a pasture reference area. The East Block was measured at 47.86% <br />vegetative cover while the pasture reference area was measured at 47.25% in 1995. The West Block <br />had slightly lower cover than the pasture reference area in 1995. The West Block was measured at <br />46.18% vegetative cover versus 47.25% vegetative cover in the pasture reference area. Rule <br />4.]5.8(3) provides that "vegetative cover [on] the revegetated area shall be considered acceptable if it <br />is not less than 90% of the cover as determined from the reference area with 90% statistical <br />confidence." The West Block vegetative cover value exceeded the 90% level of the reference area for <br />the 1995 data. Ninety percent of 47.2 equals 42.52. <br />