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The approved postmining land use of the Blue Flame Mine is grazing and wildlife habitat. As <br />explained in the following discussion of Phase III Bond Release, the Division approved minimum <br />revegetation success standards that must be met for final (Phase III) bond release. The standards are <br />based on what is sufficient to support the postmining land use; therefore, satisfaction of the Phase III <br />standards would indicate satisfaction of the Phase II requirements. Phase II release requires that <br />statistically valid data be collected in only a single year, while Phase III requires data collection in <br />the last two consecutive years of the liability period. <br />Phase III Bond Release <br />Phase III is a final bond release. The entire permit area is being considered for Phase III release. A <br />Phase III bond release can occur: <br />1. When the minimum period of liability of 10 years is met. [Section 3.02.3(2)(b)]; <br />2. When the permittee has successfully completed all surface coal mining reclamation <br />operations in accordance with the approved reclamation plan [Section 3.03.1(2)(c)]; <br />3. When all reclamation requirements of the Rules and the Act are fully met [Section <br />3.03.1(4)]; and <br />4. When the final inspection and evaluation procedures of Section 3.03.2 have been <br />satisfied [Section 3.03.1(2)(c)]. <br />As a pre-law site, a premining vegetation inventory had not been conducted at the Blue Flame Mine. <br />The Division approved the following revegetation success technical standards for the Blue Flame <br />Mine in the Findings document dated August 1, 1986. <br />Herbaceous cover: 30% <br />Production: 500 pounds per acre <br />Woody plant density: 6001ive woody shrub stems per acre <br />Species diversity: 2 cools season grasses <br />2 warm season grasses <br />2 fortis <br />2 shrubs <br />No single species shall compose more than 40% <br />or less than 3% relative cover <br />5 <br />