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III. OBSERVATIONS AND FINDINGS <br />The following discussion of observations and findings focuses on the results of backfilling and grading <br />work and drainage reestablishment, relating this work to reclamation plan requirements. During the <br />Phase I bond release inspection, participants walked through all of the South Portals area and the <br />smaller outlying areas included in the bond release request to allow for visual assessment of <br />compliance with pertinent requirements as described above in Section II of this document. An <br />inclinometer was used to field check gradients at several reclaimed slope locations where <br />representative cross-sections had been prepared by SCC. Relevant documentation developed over the <br />past several years is included in previous inspection reports and referenced in this document as <br />appropriate. In addition, Post-Mining Topography (Exhibit 6C), Roadside South Portals Cross- <br />Sections and South Ditches (Exhibit 26), Postmining Land Use (Exhibit 63), and Active <br />Area/Alternative Land Use (Exhibit 6C-A) were reviewed by the Division during the technical <br />evaluation of the bond release application. <br />Backfilling & Grading & Support Facilities <br />Backfilling and grading work was done between August 2007 and February 2008 at the South Portal <br />areas. The Overland Conveyor Tube over the Colorado River was reclaimed in December 2003; <br />regrading and revegetation were finalized in 2004. A total of approximately 18 acres were reclaimed at <br />these locations included in the Phase I bond release application. <br />Backfill and grading work at the South Portals has included the sealing and backfilling of portal <br />openings, regrading to a 2:1 slope, ripping and regrading Light Use Road #1, Access Road #1, and the <br />lower parking area. The french drain system described on page 14-7 and shown on Exhibit 6C was <br />excavated and installed after sealing the portals prior to final grading. <br />The South Portals area subject to the bond release request was viewed by walking drainage ditches, <br />the permanent access road, reclaimed slopes, and the facilities and parking areas. This allowed for <br />visual assessment of compliance with pertinent requirements, including backfilling and grading, site <br />stability, blending of regraded land to undisturbed areas, and drainage control. The inspection began <br />at the northern end of the bond release request area and proceeded to the south and ended at A <br />Substation. Several features have been approved as permanent structures at the South Portal area and <br />are described below. <br />Permit Revision No. 3 (PR-3) was approved in July 2007 to change the postmining land use of <br />portions of the South Portal facilities area to an alternative, Commercial postmining land use. Post <br />mining land uses are discussed in Tab 15 of the PAP and are shown on Exhibit 63. The South Portal <br />area is now used by a commercial fruit growing company (Providence Place, Inc.), which recently <br />purchased the property from SCC. The fruit operation at the site makes use of existing facilities for a <br />retail sales office, produce storage, equipment and supply storage, and parking. Various aspects of <br />the South Portal area reclamation plan were altered with PR-3 to accommodate the alternative land <br />use. Specified existing buildings on the mine bench and lower parking area were retained as <br />permanent for the alternative use, and a new road was constructed to access the mine bench. <br />Construction of the new access road (Access Road #1A) to the mine bench and reclamation of the <br />Page 5