GENERAL55931 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

more than sixty (60) percent of the bond may be released only so long as provisions for sound future maintenance by the permittee or the landowner have been made with the CDMG." A Phase II bond release was previously approved for all but 6.17 acres of the Northern # 1 site that did not meet Phase II cover requirements (Findings, 1992: Map, Northern No. 1 Mine Post Reclamation Topo, Northern Jt 1 Mine Reclamation Slope Stability Monument Locations, October 29, 1986, at Document 7). This Bond Release Application applies for Phase II bond release of this remaining area; and for reclamation of the sedimentation ponds. In addition, documentation that wells have been properly managed was a remaining reclamation issue of the 1987 and 1992 bond release findings (see Paragraph III.C.12 below). 2. Rule 3.03.1(2)(b) Topsoil A sufficient depth of topsoil is required [o establish vegetation. The Applicant is incompliance with this rule. The Permit (Volume VII & VIII, page M-SF) requires between 12 to 18 inches of topsoil redistributed throughout all disturbed areas. The Northern ry I Mine area east of the road (reclaimed Portals) was not approved for Phase II release during the 1992 bond release application process. This 6.2 acre site has been re-evaluated for Phase II success with this 1997 bond release application (SL-02). However, topsoil replacement thickness was verified by the Division on July 14, 1987 and October 20, 1992 (Findings, 1987; fmdings, 1992). All samples collected during those inspections found the topsoil replacement thicknesses in compliance with permit requirements. 3. Rule 3.03.2(2)(b) Postmining Land Use Rule 3.03.2(2)(b) states, in part, that the vegetation must support the approved postmining land use. The Applicant is in compliance with this rule. The approved post-mining land use is rangeland and wildlife. The reclaimed areas are dominated by a grassland community. These grassy reclaimed pockets exist within a large undisturbed acreage of mountain shrub community. The largest pocket of reclaimed land exists at the Northern X 1 Mine, at 11.7 acres. Vegetative species are supportive of the post-mining grazing land use. Great Basin wildrye is noted with considerable frequency on the reclaimed Refuse area. The Plant Materials handbook, distributed by the the U.S. Office of Surface Mining (OSM) and the U.S. Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), indicates that Great Basin wildrye is "very palatable to livestock and is best used as a forage in early spring." Great Basin wildrye is not readily grazed by the wildlife present on the site: however, evidence of bedding sites within Great Basin wildrye stands illustrates the species utility for habitat cover. Division inspectors have frequently observed Mule deer, and less frequently, elk utilizing this open area for bedding and grazing. 1 ~ 20 January 1998