Laserfiche WebLink
IV. OBSERVATIONS AND FINDINGS <br />Portal Sealine and ReQradin¢ of Disturbed Areas <br />The portals were sealed in 2001 (TR-93). The portal bench and all other disturbed azeas in the bond <br />release azea were backfilled and regraded in 2001 and 2002. As noted in the Division's bond release <br />inspection report, each of the five disturbed areas have been regraded to blend in with the <br />surrounding undisturbed terrain, resulting in hillslopes closely resembling the approximate original <br />contour. All structures have been removed from the bond release area. A slope stability analysis <br />submitted by the applicant indicated the reclaimed slopes satisfied the static safety factor requirement <br />of 1.3. Based on the close resemblance to approximate original contour, the Division finds the <br />operator has completed regrading in accordance with the approved reclamation plan. <br />Drainase Control <br />Drainage in the bond release azea currently is managed as a "small azea exemption", as allowed by <br />Rule 4.05.2(3). As an alternative to the ponds or treatment facilities required by 4.05.2(2), straw <br />mulch and (formerly) silt fences have been employed as sediment control methods. Runofffrom the <br />bond release azea would occur as sheetflow on hillslopes because slope lengths are no greater than a <br />few hundred feet. The runoff would concentrate into channelized flow in the ditch next to the <br />permanent ranch road and in natural drainages located downhill from the bond release azea. Positive <br />drainage appeazed to exist throughout the bond release azea and along the drainage route from the <br />bond release azea to the natural drainages. No signs of erosional instability were found in the bond <br />release area. No sediment fans or gully erosion were evident. Based on the observations made <br />during the inspection, the Division finds that the operator has completed reestablishment ofdrainage <br />in the bond release azea in accordance with the approved reclamation plan. <br />Hydrolo¢ic Impacts <br />In accordance with Section 3.03.2(2), the Division has evaluated whether pollution of surface or <br />subsurface water is occurring, and the probability of future occurrence of such pollution. The <br />evaluation considered information in the Probable Hydrologic Consequences section of the permit <br />application, Annual Hydrology Reports submitted by the operator, and the Division's Annual <br />Hydrology Report review memoranda. <br />Limitation on Release Amount <br />Phase I bond release is being requested for the bond release azea. The applicable bond amount for <br />the bond release azea is $204,382 (Memorandum from Jim Stark to Dan Hernandez in SL-2 file, <br />dated October 6, 2005). Section 3.03.2 restricts the amount of bond that is eligible for release in a <br />Phase I release to 60% of the applicable bond; therefore, 60% of the applicable bond, or $122,629, is <br />eligible for release, assuming all other bond release requirements are met. <br />4 <br />