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11. Criteria and Schedule for Release of Performance Bonds (Rule 3.03.1) <br />Phase II -Rule 3.03.1(2)(b) states that "up to eighty-five percent of the applicable bond <br />amount shall be released upon the successful establishment of revegetation in accordance <br />with the approved reclamation plan. Such release shall be based on the costs of <br />reclamation activities, including but not limited to replacement of topsoil, seeding, <br />irrigating and fertilizing." Rule 3.03.1(3)(b) states that "No more than sixty (60) percent <br />of the borid shall be released so long as the lands to which the release would be <br />applicable are contributing suspended solids to streamflow or runoff outside the permit <br />area in excess of premining levels as determined by baseline data or in excess of levels <br />determined on adjacent nonmined areas; until soil productivity for prime farmlands has <br />returned to equivalent levels of yield as nonmined land of the same soil type on the <br />surrounding area under equivalent management practices as determined from the soil <br />survey performed under 2.04.12 and 2.06.6; or, on alluvial valley floors until the essential <br />hydrologic functions and agricultural productivity have been reestablished:' <br />In order to assess the successful establishment of vegetation, the Division evaluates <br />vegetative cover and species composition on reclaimed land. Species composition is <br />evaluated to verify that the revegetation is established in accordance with the approved <br />reclamation plan. For the purposes of Phase II bond release, this would imply that the <br />vegetation either meets or is progressing toward the diversity success standard established <br />in the approved permit application. <br />III. Observations and Written Findings <br />The operator has provided data from vegetation monitoring performed at the site and at <br />the Sage/Grass Reference Area on August 2 through 4, 1994, and from the Mountain <br />Brush reference area which .was sampled July 22 and 23, 1994. A summary of that data <br />is contained in Table 2 of this document. The Division verified topsoil depth and soil <br />stability on July 21 and August 28, 1995. <br />Topsoil Replacement Depth <br />Topsoil replacement depth at the site is required to be a minimum of 6 to 9 inches. <br />Topsoil depths were checked in ten locations at the site. The average replacement depth <br />of all locations was found to be in compliance with the approved reclamation plan, and <br />therefore meets the requirement of Rule 3.03.1(2)(b). A summary of the results of the <br />depth verification test holes is presented in Table 1 of this document. <br />Meadows No. 1 Mine 4 Phase 11 Bond Release <br />