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allow the alluviuMglacial ouh+ash aquifer to flow preferentially into the coal seam aquifer rather than into the local streams. The subsequent discharge of the more mineralized mine water into local streams directly could cause a degradation of surface water quality. Now that the mine portals are sealed, flooding of the mine would draw some water out of the alluvium glacial outwash aquifer, and into the mine potentially decreasing the stream fl ow until the mines were compl etely fl ooded. Once the mine is fl ooded, however, the coal seam aquifer and the all w ium/glacial outwash aquifer would resume their normal flow pa tterns. In the fall of 1988, final reclamation work began at the mine site. All remaining mine facility structures were removed. The sealed mine portals were back filled and the mine bench and face up area were graded to approximate original contours. Overburden material, rather than topsoil, was used for the vegetation medium since no topsoil had been set aside from the mining conducted prior to permitting. The original surface drainage pattern was approximated with a riprapped clean water diversion ditch. The disturbed area drainage ditches, which will be removed later, drain into a sedimentation pond. The disturbed areas were drill seeded and then mulched with straw. A Phase One Bond Release was completed October 26, 1989 and bond was reduced from E185,000 to $74,000. In September 1989, the hydrologic monitoring schedule was reduced through approval of Technical Revision No. 6. On February 7, 1990, Minrec, Inc. took over operations from the previous operator, Grand Mesa Coal Canpany. In the fall of 1990, a vegetation study showed that the average vegetation cover was 52.4 percent, well above the baseline standard of 26 percent. The reclamation work now remaining to be accompl fished includes the removal of the sedimentation pond, sealing all open monitoring and other wells, eliminating the contour ditches, reducing the roadcut and revegetation of these areas. II. Mid-Term Review Updates 1. An analysis of the hydraulic gradients of the alluvial/glacial outwash aquifer and the aquifers of the D and E coal seams suggest that any induced recharge would occur from the former to the latter, presumably at their zones of contact. The most current information also indicates there is a localized hydraulic gradient in the coal seam aquifers updip, from well locations D-3 and E-3 northwest to southeast toward well locations D-1, D-2, E-1 and E-2. This creates a potential for contamination of these wells by the flooded mine workings. As a result, continued hydrologic monitoring is required. 2. As stated in the permit, Section 2.04.7(3), Minrec, Inc 's mitigation program in case of well contamination in this area would initially involve reestablishment efforts. If reestablishment failed to correct the problem, Minrec, Inc. would provide domestic water taps into the Colby Municipal Water System. As stated in the -3-