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umhos/cm 65. The impact of the relatively consistent dischazges from the treatment ponds would be <br />greatest to North Thompson Creek under low-flow conditions. The contribution to the downstream <br />conductivity from mining is, however, only one of several discharges. There aze dischazges to the <br />stream between the two locations of measurements from the pre-law North Thompson Creek Portal 2 <br />mine, and (perhaps) natural sources (there is a sulfur smell from a seep between the Mine 1 and Mine <br />3 portals). <br />Potential for Surface or Groundwater Pollution <br />There is no reason to suspect that ground cover will diminish on reclaimed azeas as the vegetative <br />communities continue to recover. Therefore, there is low potential for pollution of surface waters <br />from erosion of reclaimed areas. <br />There is no reason to suspect that the quality of groundwater in the vicinity of Well D-lA is going to <br />deteriorate from the stabilized levels of conductivity. Eventually, after a long period of time, levels of <br />conductivity may drop as salts are leached from the refuse pile materials. <br />Due to the extent of the mine workings and the associated source of groundwater and rechazge azea, <br />the water draining from the Mine 1 and Mine 3 portals is considered perpetual. These discharges aze <br />currently being treated passively, and meet CDPHE water quality effluent limits with this treatment. <br />The quality of these discharges may improve, over extended periods of time, due to flushing of mine <br />workings and leaching of the host coal and rocks. <br />Minimum Bond <br />This proposed decision reduces the current required bond of $270,733 by $175,121 to a proposed <br />required surety of $95,612 (15% of applicable bond amounts). This recognizes a total release of <br />$202,121 of for accomplished Phase I and Phase II reclamation work, reduced by an "advance" of <br />$27,000 in SL-02. This "advance" occurred because of an inadvertent second release via SL-02 of the <br />60% ($27,000) portion of the $45,000 associated with reclaiming two acres of haul road at the <br />loadout site (this $27,000 amount had previously been released via SL-O1). See Appendix 4 of this <br />Findings Document for a schedule for determining the proposed reduction, and Appendix 1 of this <br />Findings Document for a detet~ttination of the governing limitation of the release. <br />Summary and Conclusions <br />Based upon a review of the reclamation work accomplished at the sites, the PAP, the applicant's bond <br />release Application, and Rules, the Division finds that Minrec, Inc. has successfully completed the <br />claimed surface coal mining reclamation operations in accordance with the approved reclamation plan <br />and has met all requirements of the Act and the Rules for a partial Phase I and partial Phase II Bond <br />ss 2000 Annual Hydrology Report, Appendix 1 <br />SL-04, C-81-025 <br />November 13, 2001 <br />Page 15 of 16 Pages <br />