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In this Phase III bond release, the applicable bond amount determined by the Division
<br />was $4,402,022.00. The percentage of reclamation bond retained between the approved
<br />• Phase II bond release and Phase III bond release is 15 percent of the total reclamation
<br />bond. Multiplying the applicable reclamation bond amount by 15 percent yields the total
<br />bond amount eligible for release for the permit area for all Phase III bond release actions,
<br />or, $660,303.30. The acreage proposed for Phase III bond release under this application
<br />is 165.29 acres. The permitted acreage is 610.86 acres, and the total acreage disturbed
<br />over the life of the mine is 437.69 acres. From this point in our calculation, we propose
<br />to use the actual area disturbed (437.69 acres) rather than the permit area (as the Division
<br />did in SL03) for the reason that there was, and is, no reclamation liability for areas within
<br />the permit area that have not been disturbed, therefore the reclamation bond does not
<br />apply to those undisturbed areas, and undisturbed areas should not be used in any bond
<br />release calculations. The percentage of area requested for Phase III bond release in this
<br />application is 37.76 percent (165.29 acres/ 437.69 acres). This percentage, multiplied by
<br />the reclamation bond amount eligible for Phase III bond release amounts to $249,330.52
<br />($660,303.30 x 0.3776). Therefore, the reclamation bond amount requested for release in
<br />this Phase III application is $249,331.00.
<br />Legal Description of the Area Requested for Bond Release: The Phase III bond release
<br />application requests release of bond and liability for successfully completing all required
<br />reclamation tasks at Areas 1, 3, 4, 8, 11, 12, 13, 14, 17, 18, 20, 21, 22, 24, 26, 27, and 28
<br />within the mine site, located in portions of Sections 25 and 36, T3N, R64W, Sixth
<br />Principal Meridian, Weld County, Colorado. This area comprises approximately 165.29
<br />• acres.
<br />Map: The enclosed map titled, Coors Energy Company Vegetation/Re-Vegetation Man
<br />identifies the areas requested for Phase III final bond and liability release.
<br />Dates of Reclamation Work: Reclamation work was undertaken in the areas requested
<br />for release between 1985 and 1997 by Coors Energy Company.
<br />Description of Bond Release Amount Request: This bond release request seeks final
<br />bond and liability release at Areas 1, 3, 4, 8, 11, 12, 13, 14, 17, 18, 20, 21, 22, 24, 26, 27,
<br />and 28 totaling approximately 165.29 acres in size. The areas reclaimed have been
<br />demonstrated to meet the requirements for erosion control (SL03), and meet the final
<br />bond release vegetation standard for cover, total herbaceous production, and species
<br />composition (enclosed vegetation studies for 2007 and 2008). The areas requested for
<br />release are in conformance with the approved post-mining land use which has been
<br />implemented. Remaining reclamation obligations at the mine site include the final
<br />reclamation of the remaining area of the "B" Pit, the long term spoil area, topsand piles
<br />A-1, A-3, and B-1, the facilities area, and additional miscellaneous ancillary areas.
<br />Protection of the Hydrologic Balance: Annual Hydrologic Reports have been
<br />submitted annually for the mine and the information within the AHR's has demonstrated
<br />the continued protection of the hydrologic balance at the mine site and off-site. Self-
<br />monitoring of the sediment control system has been continual, and where regular
<br />Coors Energy Company Keene5burg Mine Page 2
<br />Phase 111 Bond Release: 1985/1986/1987/1995/1997 Areas
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