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41.S.C.6). Carbon Junction's approximate 100-acre surface disturbance probably is not <br />enough to diminish recharge to bedrock aquifers. <br />Surface Water Impacts: <br />There are no natural surface water features in the bond release area. Runoff from the coal <br />mine and the former sand and gravel operation is routed to sediment control ponds, then <br />discharges via CDPS outfalls at those ponds to the ephemeral stream channel in Carbon <br />Junction Canyon. Oakridge has conducted long-term monitoring at the two outfalls. The <br />ponds usually hold water only a few weeks each year following springtime snow melt and <br />large rainstorms. There have been no exceedances of discharge limitations at either outfall <br />for at least 5 years. The discharge limitations applicable to the outfalls were based on which <br />chemical constituents were likely to be present in discharge effluent, and did not include all <br />of the constituents for which there are instream standards in the Animas River, downstream <br />from Carbon Junction Canyon. It is unlikely, however, that the influent would have <br />contained these other constituents in significant amounts; therefore, it is reasonable to <br />conclude that operations in the bond release area are in compliance with the instream <br />standards. <br />Impacts to Alluvial Valley Floors (AVFs): <br />There are no alluvial valley floors within the influence of the Carbon Junction Mine. <br />Findings on Protection of Hydrologic Balance <br />All of the observed hydrologic impacts are consistent with those predicted in the Probable <br />Hydrologic Consequences section of the permit application and the Division's Animas River <br />Cumulative Hydrologic Impact Assessment. Based on the foregoing observations regarding <br />hydrologic impacts, the Division finds that Oakridge has minimized disturbance of the hydrologic <br />balance in the mine plan and adjacent areas, and prevented material damage outside the permit area. <br />The Division also finds that Oakridge has not caused hydrologic changes that adversely affect the <br />approved postmining land use in the permit area. <br />Findings on Completion of the Reclamation Plan <br />Oakridge requested Phase I release for regraded areas within an approximate 30-acre bond release <br />area. The Division reviewed the bond release application, the mine permit, and inspected the lands. <br />Based on the review and inspection, the Division finds that in the bond release area, Oakridge has <br />successfully completed backfilling, regrading, and drainage re-establishment in accordance with the <br />approved reclamation plan. <br />Application of Bond Release Phase Limits to Bond Release Request <br />The amount of bond applicable to the bond release area is $524,848. Phase I bond release is being <br />requested for the bond release area. Section 3.03.21imits the amount of bond that may be released in <br />6 <br />