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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 the entire Munger Canyon Mine site and <br />the Loma loadout site to allow for visual assessment of compliance with pertinent requirements as <br />described above in Section II of this document. An inclinometer was used to field check gradients in <br />the vicinity of the reclaimed portal area where representative cross-sections had been prepared by <br />CAM. Relevant documentation developed over the past several years is included in previous <br />inspection reports and referenced in this document as appropriate. In addition, Topographic maps <br />depicting approximate existing and final reclamation contours presented on Figures 2.2-7A, 2.2-7C, <br />and 3.1-2 through 3.1-9 of the PAP were reviewed by the Division during the technical evaluation of <br />the bond release application. <br />During 2001 the 2.9 acre Loma loadout was contoured and seeded. During 2006 a 1.6 acre light use <br />road located in Munger Canyon was contoured and seeded. Final reclamation operations were initiated <br />in 2007 in the Munger Mine area. Backfilling, topsoiling, and temporary seeding operations were <br />completed at the mine portal area, the portal access road, the coal mine waste area, and the lower road <br />topsoil stockpile area between mid May and late July 2007. All buildings, structures and facilities at the <br />mine site and Loma loadout were removed. Sealing of the underground mine openings was performed <br />in accordance with the approved plan and MSHA regulations. The four portals at Munger Canyon <br />were sealed with MSHA approved concrete foam in 1992, at varying distances in from the openings. <br />One of the openings had apparently been filled and covered over with soil shortly after sealing. The <br />remaining openings were backfilled out by the seals in early July 2000, as verified in the Division's <br />July 31, 2000 inspection report. Interim reclamation was conducted on the mine bench in the fall of <br />2001 and spring of 2002. Coaly material from the loadout was placed at the base of the portal bench <br />cut slope, compacted, cover soiled and seeded with a stabilization seedmix. Site clean-up, grading, <br />and seeding with a stabilization seedmix was conducted at the Loma loadout in November 2001. <br />Maintenance grading and seeding to repair areas of caving over the backfilled portals was conducted in <br />2003 and 2004, and remedial seeding was conducted at the Loma loadout in November 2004, due to <br />failure of the initial seeding. <br />Backfilling & Grading & Support Facilities <br />During the Phase I bond release inspection, the Munger Canyon Mine site locations described above <br />and the Loma loadout were assessed for compliance with pertinent reclamation requirements, <br />including backfilling and grading, site stability, blending of regraded land to undisturbed areas, and <br />drainage control. Support facilities as they relate to the Phase I bond release including haul roads, <br />access roads and the processing waste disposal site are described in this section. The Loma loadout is <br />discussed separately below at the end of this section. The inspection began at the lower end of the <br />portal access road and proceeded up to the portal sites, then continued to the drill rig access road and <br />finally to the haul road where the coal mine waste disposal area and reclaimed topsoil pile are located <br />adjacent to the road. Several constructed drainage channels located along the portal access have been <br />approved as permanent post- mine features and are described below under drainage reestablishment. <br />6