Laserfiche WebLink
fourth phase, 55.13 acres were reclaimed in 1987. A 2.06 acre temporary impoundment was <br />reclaimed in 1991 and the other two ponds have been approved as permanent <br />impoundments. <br />Reclamation success will be determined by statistically comparing reclaimed areas to <br />approved reference areas. The mine sampled vegetation cover in 1989, 1990 and in 1991 <br />as part of the phase II bond release demonstration. The 1979 - 1981 reclaimed areas had <br />between 77% and 98% cover and the 1987 reclaimed area had between 77% and 87% total <br />ground cover. During the phase II bond release, the Division calculated, using the computer <br />aided design program Sedcad, that erosion would be less on the reclaimed site than would <br />have occurred at the site prior to mining. <br />The reclaimed mine site was mulched at the rate of 80 yd3/acre. The mulch was made up <br />of wood chips applied using a manure spreader. The chips were applied to get a cover of <br />50% to 70%. <br />The coal loadout located in Walden, next to the rail yard, was reclaimed as approved in the <br />reclamation plan. About 1,500 cubic yards of coal pad material was removed and backfilled <br />in the pit. The surface was regraded to provide positive drainage to the low area on the <br />south end of the loadout. The area was not seeded and conforms with its premining and <br />post mining land use as an industrial site free of coal fines. <br />Bonding History <br />On September 26, 1988 the Division granted Wyoming Fuels, the previous permittee, a <br />phase I bond release for the backfilling and grading that had been completed at the <br />Canadian Strip Mine. The Division released 60% or $447,870.00 of the total $746,450.00 <br />reclamation bond. The Division presently holds the remaining 5298,580.00 as a letter of <br />credit. <br />Wyon-.ing Fuels requested a phase II bond release in the spring 1990. The Division issued <br />a proposed decision to approve the releases but, after receiving objections from the OSM, <br />the Division rescinded its decision. On August 1, 1991 the Division reissued the proposed <br />decision for a phase II bond release. At that time the OSM concerns were largely satisfied <br />with the single exception that OSM objected to pond No. 2 as permanent impoundment. <br />On March 20, 1992 the OSM Western Field Office concluded that pond No. 2 met the <br />criteria for a permanent impoundment. On April 21, 1992 the Division received a notice of <br />concurrence from OSM for phase II bond release for the Canadian Strip Mine. <br />Canadian Strip Mine, C-81-026 11 July 31, 1992 <br />