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<br />No comments, written objections, or requests for an informal wnference regarding the bond <br />release application were received by the Division. <br />The Division scheduled and conducted a bond release inspection on October 23, 1996. The site <br />inspection was conducted in accordance with Rule 3.03.2(2). Jerry Koblitz, of Greystone <br />Development Consultants, Inc. represented Kaiser Ventures Inc. during the 5eld inspection. The <br />Office of Surface Mining was also informed of the inspection on October 16, 1996 but did not <br />choose to attend. No other interested parties were in attendance for the bond release <br />inspection. <br />CRITERIA AND SCHEDULE FOR BOND RELEASE <br />Rule 3.03.1(2)(b) states, "Up to eighty-five (85) percent of the applicable bond amount shall be <br />released upon the establishment of vegetation which supports the approved postmining land use <br />and which meets the approved success standard for cover... based on statistically valid data <br />collected during a single year of the Lability period". In regard to Phase II bond release, Rule <br />3.03.2(3)(b) also states, " No more than sixty (60) percent of the bond shall be released so long <br />as the lands to which the release would be applicable are contributing suspended solids to <br />streamflow or runoff outside the permit area in excess of pre-mining levels as determined by <br />baseline data or in excess of levels determined on adjacent non-mined areas". <br />The approved reclamation plan called for re-grading of the azea to the approved post-mining <br />topography and replacement of topsoil to a depth of approximately 15 inches. Following topsoil <br />re-application, the area was to be re-seeded to a grassland community to support the post-mining <br />land-use of rangeland. <br />Page 2.05-2 of the permit text states, "Subsoil was reapplied at a thiclmess approximately equal <br />to that originally removed, 33 inches. Topsoil was redistributed at a depth of 15 inches over the <br />subsoil." Therefore, the approved permit requires a topsoil re-application depth of 15 inches. <br />The diversity standard in the permit, pg. 2.05-5, states that Kaiser Resources will establish: <br />2 perennial cool season grasses <br />2 perennial forbs <br />(with each species contributing at least 3% but not more than 40% relative cover.) <br />any combination of perennial warm season grasses with at least 6% relative cover <br />(with no upper limit). <br />This standazd is in agreement with Rules 4.15.8(2), (5), and (6). There is no woody plant density <br />requirement on this site. <br />3 <br />