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2. You stated that the irrigation ditch which was located on the east side of the bridge <br />should be restored. The approved Meadows #1 Mine permit application makes no <br />reference to an irrigation ditch in this area, nor do aerial photographs of the area <br />indicate its prior existence. Based on available information, there is no basis for the <br />Division to require Sun Coal Company to construct an irrigation ditch in this area. <br />3. You requested removal of existing pit area ponds, and construction of a new pond to <br />protect your property from erosion. You also requested land manipulation which <br />included ripping the reclaimed area and adding contours. The approved pit area <br />reclamation plan does not include additional grading or pond construction. The existing <br />ponds will be removed prior to final bond release. No additional ponds will be <br />constructed. Sixty percent of the reclamation performance bond for the pit area has been <br />released, since backfilling and grading were achieved in accordance with the approved <br />plan. You did not object to the release then, so your objections now to the accomplished <br />backfilling and grading cannot be acted upon. <br />Safetyand Access Subjects <br />1. You indicated that a new cattle guard must be installed at the mine entrance road. This <br />issue should be directed to Sun Coal Company, as the Division does not have nor does <br />it enforce regulatory requirements regarding cattle guard installation. <br />2. You stated that there are still many steel stakes and signs on site which pose hazards to <br />humans and livestock, and that the hazards should be searched out and removed. The <br />permit boundary signs on site cannot be removed until the Division has granted final <br />bond release. We are not aware of other stakes and signs on site. <br />3.a. You stated that "a straight in access to the upper Coal View old mine area must be made <br />as it was before:' The currently approved plan does not include additional road <br />construction. Sun Coal Company has been entirely released from liability on the haul <br />road system. The Division no longer has jurisdiction over the road, and therefore cannot <br />mandate improvements to the system. <br />3.b. You requested that the access road to the upper oil well must be widened and restored. <br />Again, in accordance with the approved plan and previous bond releases, we cannot <br />require road modifications. <br />3.c. You stated that the "airfield must have easy and good access after the meadow is <br />restored." To the best of our knowledge, disturbance in the "airfield" was limited to a <br />sediment pond which has since been reclaimed. The pond area that was reclaimed was <br />recently regraded to accommodate parking for the snowmobiling operation at your ranch. <br />The Division staff is not aware of any other disturbance to the "airfield" or of any plans <br />to restore the meadow. <br />o n A. t is 2 ay , 1 4 <br />