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Phase I findings Field inspection dunng the bond release inspection documented that the two small areas excluded from the previous Phase I release request (SL-Ot ), the oil containment area and the subsidence feature, have been returned to approximate original contour (AOC) and that backfilfing, grading, and drainage control has been completed m accordance with the approved plan for these hvo small areas The sediment containment ditch was also specifically mentioned For reclamation in the Phase I findings (SL-01). However, the Phase I findings also indicate all areas except the two mentioned above had been returned to AOC. The ditch is well vegetated and directs runoff to the permanent pond for utilization by cattle and wildlife. The pond has been previously approved to remain as a permanent impoundment and the applicant has received approval of the required performance standards of Rule 4 05.9 for permanent impoundments The ditch is part of the design for this system and directs the flow to the permanent pond for utilization The applicant has met the regwrements of the Rules and the approved permit for a Phase I bond release for the 1.4 acres that constitute these areas. Phase II Findin s This request is also a Phase II bond release for all 12.62 acres. The applicant included a sediment loss comparison using the Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation tRUSLE) In summary. the fact that the vegetative cover on the reclaimed area is greater than the pre- mine vegetation community results in a predicted soil loss from the reclaimed area that is considerably less than the pre-mine soil loss. Therefore. more than 60% of the bond can be released as allowed by Rule 3.03 1(3)(b) Also vegetation data collected in 2003 and 2004 indicate the cover standard was achieved (Table B) and the vegetation community established will support the post-mining land use (Rule 3.03 1(2)(b) Phase III Findings Surlace water impacts Runoff due to rainfall and snowmelt comprise the surface water present on the reclaimed and adjacent areas. Flow in Engleville Gulch was recorded and documented in surface water monitoring efforts and through field inspection This flow was in response to snowmelt andlor rainfall in the upper portions of the Engleville Gulch watershed on the north slopes of Fischer s Peak. Discharge has not been recorded from the permanent sediment pond at the site in more than ten years. Due to the significant storage capacity of the pond and the limited watershed draining to the pond. d is unlikely that discharge from the pond would occur except on an extremely limited basis. The likelihood for future surface water polluhon is negligible. Ground water impacts Ground water was monitored during operations in a nearby USGS well, Montoya dug well, well 29-4, and the Engleville mine discharge A revision to the perms approved discontinuing this monitoring based on the data collected up to that time. Waler levels showed I~ttle fluctuation and water quality samples indicated no significant changes in the ground water quality due to mining at the Rimrock Mine, The mine had ceased operations at that time and reclamation was complete through reseeding. Since the site was reclaimed. the only