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8. The operator does not control and has not controlled mining operations with a <br />demonstrated pattern of willful violations of the Act of such nature, duration, and with <br />such resulting irreparable damage to the environment as to indicate an intent not to <br />comply with the provisions of the Act (2.07.6(2)(h)). <br />9. The Division fmds that surface coal mining and reclamation operations to be performed <br />under this permit will not be inconsistent with other such operations anticipated to be <br />performed in areas adjacent to the permit area (2.07.6(2)(1)). <br />10. The original performance bond required for the Meeker Area Mines was $850,000.00. <br />Phase I bond release was granted for backfdling and grading all three areas on July 24, <br />1987. In conjunction with Phase I bond release, 100 percent bond release was approved <br />for the Wilson-Loudy Loadout, when the loadout was permitted by another operator. The <br />remaining liability after those releases was $307,000.00. Approval of Phase II bond <br />release on June 15, 1994 reduced the liability of all three sites to $184,071.00. The <br />current bond of $184,071.00 in the form of a corporate surety is more than adequate to <br />cover the remaining reclamation cost for worst-case disturbance at the Meeker Mines. <br />The above bond amount reflects the Division's projection of reclamation costs for worst- <br />case disturbance which will occur during the proposed permit term. It also reflects <br />85 percent bond release from reclamation work completed by the operator. This release <br />was approved by the Division during previous permit terms (2.07.6(2)(j)). <br />11. The Division has made a negative determination for the presence of prime farmland within <br />the permit area. The decision was based on evidence provided by the Soil Conservation <br />Service that demonstrates that no prime farmland mapping units are found within the <br />permit area (2.07.6(2)(k)). <br />12. Based on information provided in the application, the Division has determined that several <br />alluvial valley floors exist within the permit or adjacent areas. Based on the review done <br />at the time of the original permit issuance, the Division made the following findings <br />regarding AVF's in the vicinity of the Meeker Area Mines: <br />a) Surface facilities and reclamation operations will not interrupt, discontinue, or <br />preclude farming on alluvial valley floors. <br />b) Surface facilities and reclamation operations will not cause material damage to the <br />quality or quantity of water in surface or underground water systems that supply <br />alluvial valley floors. This will be assured by augmentation of water supply by the <br />operator. <br />c) Surface facilities and reclamation operations will be conducted to preserve, <br />throughout the mining and reclamation process, the essential hydrologic functions <br />of alluvial valley floors. <br />8 <br />