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Support of Post-Mining Land Use <br />The reclaimed lands have vegetative cover composed of a variety of grasses, fortis, and woody <br />shrubs. The seasonality and forage characteristics of the vegetative species appear suitable for the <br />approved post-mining land use of rangeland and wildlife habitat. Although no wildlife were seen <br />during the bond release inspection, there was evidence the area is visited by deer and small <br />mammals. Vegetation has locally been intensely browsed on slopes that are too steep for cattle. <br />Hoof prints and droppings have been found on the site during past inspections. Other wildlife that <br />has regularly been seen on past inspections include: small mammals (rabbits and mice), raptors <br />(hawks), and various small birds. Although the site could benefit from thistle spraying, weeds are a <br />minor part of the vegetation and the site has no bare areas. <br />No evidence of slope instability has been found in the reclaimed portal area. No tension cracks were <br />found at the tops of the slopes and no compression bulges were evident on slopes. The revegetation <br />is providing the long-term stable cover that is necessary for the land to properly function as <br />rangeland and wildlife habitat. Based on the successful revegetation, and the observed successful <br />wildlife use of the site, the Division finds that the revegetation is capable of supporting the <br />postmining land use. <br />Subsidence Impacts <br />No structures or renewable resource lands were undermined by the Blue Flame Mine. There have <br />been no reports of adverse impacts from subsidence in the area undermined. Numerous aerial <br />inspections of the site over the years have identified no adverse impacts from subsidence. No <br />subsidence impacts were found in the former portal area during the bond release inspection or other <br />recent inspections. <br />Completion of Final Inspection Required by Section 3.03.2(2) <br />As previously explained, the Division conducted a bond release inspection on November 27, 2007. <br />The inspection was conducted in accordance with Section 3.03.2(2). The inspection focused on <br />completion of reclamation work, success of the work, erosional and slope stability of the reclaimed <br />lands, and implementation of the postmining land use. As explained in the Division's inspection <br />report, field observations support a finding to approve the bond release application. <br />Completion of Evaluation Required by Section 3.03.2(2) <br />The Division has conducted an evaluation of the reclamation work, in accordance with Section <br />3.03.2(2). This evaluation considered, among other things: the results of inspections and monitoring, <br />the need for further reclamation work, whether pollution of surface or subsurface water is occurring, <br />and the probability of future occurrence of such pollution. The evaluation concluded that all <br />reclamation has been completed in the bond release area, no water pollution is occurring, and there is <br />little potential for future water pollution. Impacts to ground water and surface water are described <br />below. <br />10 <br />