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Support of Post-Mining Land Use <br />The reclaimed lands have vegetative cover composed of a variety of grasses, forbs, and <br />woody shrubs. The seasonality and forage chazacteristics of the vegetative species appeaz <br />suitable for the approved post-mining land use of rangeland and wildlife habitat. Although <br />no wildlife were seen during the bond release inspection, there was evidence the azea is <br />visited by deer and small mammals. Vegetation has locally been intensely browsed on slopes <br />that are too steep for cattle. Hoof prints and droppings were found on the site. Other wildlife <br />that has regulazly been seen on past inspections include: small mammals (rabbits and mice), <br />raptors (hawks and eagles), and vazious small birds. No weed problems or significant baze <br />azeas were found. <br />The vegetative cover on reclaimed areas appears to be preventing rill and gully formation. <br />With the exception of the gully that was recently repaired, hillslopes did not show significant <br />down-cutting from concentrated flow, even on the steepest slopes. The gully formed during <br />a lazge storm event in approximately 1996. It has stabilized and the recent repair work <br />should add further stability. No delta or sediment fans were found anywhere on the site <br />during the bond release inspection. No evidence of instability on the reclaimed portal bench <br />or former office area was found. No tension cracks were found at the tops of the slopes and <br />no compression bulges were evident on slopes. The revegetation success standazds were <br />based on what would be necessary for the land to properly function as rangeland and wildlife <br />habitat. The bond release area has met those requirements. Based on the achievement of <br />those requirements, and the observed successful livestock wildlife use on the site, the <br />Division finds that the revegetation on the bond release blocks is capable of supporting the <br />postmining land use. <br />Subsidence Impacts <br />No structures or renewable resource lands were undermined by the La Plata No. Mine. There <br />have been no reports of adverse impacts from subsidence in the azea undermined. Numerous <br />aerial inspections of the site over the years have identified no adverse impacts from <br />subsidence. No subsidence impacts were found in the former portal azea during the bond <br />release inspection. <br />Comaletion of Final Inspection Required by Section 3.03.2(21 <br />As previously explained, the Division conducted a bond release inspection on June 4, 2004. <br />The inspection was conducted in accordance with Section 3.03.2(2). The inspection focused <br />on completion of reclamation work, success of the work, erosional and slope stability of the <br />reclaimed lands, and implementation of the postmining land use. As explained in the <br />Division's inspection report, field observations support a finding to approve the bond release <br />application. <br />8 <br />