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9. The Division finds that surface coal mining and reclamation operations to be performed <br />under this permit will not be inconsistent with other such operations anticipated to be <br />performed in areas adjacent to the permit area [2.07.6(2)(i)]. <br />10. The Division has examined and is holding St Paul Fire and Marine Insurance Company <br />corporate surety for $10,000,000 and Bond Safeguard Insurance Company <br />corporate surety in the amount of $4,500,000, for a total of $14,500,000. The <br />Division estimates the reclamation liability for mining operations prior to PR-14 to be <br />$14,049,738. The Division estimates reclamation costs associated with all new activities <br />proposed in PR-14 (methane drainage wells, pads, and roads) to be $1,408,676. MCC <br />has proposed submitting the bond for PR-14 in increments, as allowed by 3.02.1(5)(b). <br />The above bond amount reflects the Division's projection of reclamation costs for <br />worst-case disturbance that will occur during the current permit term, with longwall <br />mining through panel E-2 [2.07.6(2)(j)]. <br />11. The Division has made a negative determination for the presence of prime farmland <br />within the part of the permit area that existed prior to Permit Revision 10, based on a <br />letter dated October 10, 1980, from the Soil Conservation Service that demonstrates that <br />no prime farmland mapping units are found within the permit area, updated with letters <br />from the US Forest Service and the Natural Resources Conservation Service on <br />November 23, 2005, finding no prime farmland within the West Flatiron lease area. The <br />Division made a negative determination for the presence of prime farmland within the <br />part of the permit area proposed for addition in Permit Revision No. 12, based on the <br />absence of land that has historically been used for cropland [2.07.6(2)(k)]. <br />12. The Division has made a negative determination regarding alluvial valley floors within <br />the permit area [2.07.6(2)(k) and 2.06.8(3)(c)]. <br />For additional findings concerning alluvial valley floors please see Section B, XVII. <br />13. The Division hereby approves the post-mining land uses of rangeland and wildlife habitat <br />for this operation. It was determined that these uses meet the requirements of Rule 4.16 <br />for the permit area [2.07.6(2)(1)]. <br />14. Specific approvals have been granted or are proposed. These approvals are addressed in <br />the following section, Section B [2.07.6(2)(m)]. <br />15. The Division verified by phone with the Office of Surface Mining on October 8, 2008 <br />that the list of threatened and endangered species contained in MCC's permit is current. <br />The Division finds that the activities proposed by the applicant would not affect the <br />continued existence of endangered or threatened species or result in the destruction or <br />adverse modification of their critical habitats [2.07.6(2)(n)]. <br />16. The Division has contacted the Office of Surface Mining, Reclamation Fees Branch. As <br />of this time, Mountain Coal Company, the operator, is current in the payment of <br />22