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The Permanent Impoundment Evaluation topic was selected by the joint DRMS/OSM Oversight <br />Team. The impoundments chosen for this review are located at the Seneca II, Edna, and Marr <br />Strip Mines. Permittees often submit requests to retain sediment ponds as permanent structures <br />to serve and enhance the post mining land use. In order for the Division to approve these <br />requests the requirements of Rules 2.05.3(4)(b) and 4.05.9(1), Permanent Impoundments, must <br />be demonstrated. The team has agreed to review three recent requests the Division has received <br />for permanent impoundments. The evaluation criteria will include a review of the written <br />demonstration to comply with Rule 4.05.9(13) and a field evaluation of the ponds that have been <br />approved as permanent impoundments. <br />On June 11, 2008, the Team observed Ponds A, B, D, E and F at the Marr Strip Mine. The Team <br />had previously reviewed records relating to these permanent impoundments at the DRMS <br />Offices on June 5, 2008. Included in these records was a landowner letter requesting that Pond F <br />be retained for permanent use as a livestock and wildlife pond. The approved PMLU for these <br />impoundments is rangeland and wildlife habitat. All permanent impoundments are functioning <br />in compliance with the applicable requirements of Rule 4.05.9(13) and are consistent with their <br />approved post mining land use (PMLU). <br />Based on OSM's review of the written demonstrations for compliance with Rule 4.05.9(13) and <br />the field evaluations of the aforementioned permanent impoundments, the Team concludes the <br />following: <br />All permanent impoundments evaluated in conjunction with this Special Focus Topic at the <br />Seneca II, Edna, and Marr Strip Mines are functioning in compliance with the applicable <br />requirements of Rule 4.05.9(13), and are consistent with their approved post mining land use. <br />Accordingly, the DRMS is successfully implementing its permanent impoundment approval <br />process and OSM has no recommendations to offer for improving the approval process as a <br />result of the evaluation.