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Suspended Solids Demonstration <br />Rule 3.03.1(3)(b) states, in pertinent part: <br />No more than sixty (60) percent of the bond shall be released so long as the lands to <br />which the release would be applicable are contributing suspended solids to stream flow <br />or runoff outside the permit area in excess ofpremining levels as determined by baseline <br />data or in excess of levels determined on adjacent non-mined areas... <br />The Pecoco Pond discharge flows into Little Grassy Creek and then into the Wadge Impoundment <br />(Pond 2) where there is an NPDES discharge Point at the pond outlet. Pond 004 and Pond 008 outlets <br />are also designated NPDES discharge points. Runoff from all disturbed areas for which the Division <br />proposes to approve Phase II bond release passes through one of these three NPDES discharge points <br />prior to exiting the permit area. Within Attachment F of the SL-3 application, and in a supplemental <br />submittal dated December 22, 2008, SCC presented data documenting that Pond 002 discharge mean <br />and maximum total suspended solids (TSS) concentrations were lower than mean and maximum TSS <br />concentrations for a comparable "adjacent non-mined area" on Little Grassy Creek, during the same <br />time period (2003-2007). For Ponds 004 and 008, SCC presented data documenting that pond discharge <br />mean and maximum TSS discharge concentrations were likewise lower than respective mean and <br />maximum TSS concentrations for baseline stream monitoring sites in the pond locations. <br />Suspended Solids Summary: The applicant has demonstrated compliance with. Rule 3.03.1(3)(b) <br />requirements pertaining to the total suspended solids comparison. Data presented in the SL-3 <br />application and supplement demonstrate that the bond release request areas are not contributing <br />suspended solids to stream flow or runoff outside the permit area in excess of premising baseline levels <br />from the Pond 004 and Pond 008 reclaimed watersheds, or in excess of levels determined on adjacent <br />non-mined areas for the Pond 002 reclaimed watershed. <br />IV. SUMMARY AND CONCLUSIONS <br />The DRMS has completed its review and evaluation of the Phase II bond release request submitted by <br />SCC for the Seneca II Mine. Based upon a review of the mine permit, the applicant's bond release <br />application, and site inspections, the DRMS finds that SCC has complied with all requirements for <br />Phase II bond release on Bond Release Block 2 (BRB-2; 311.1 acres) and the portions of Bond Release <br />Block 3 (BRB-3) included in the SL-3 application (902 acres). The Division will issue a proposed <br />decision to approve Phase II bond release on those areas delineated as BRB-2 (green shading, reclaimed <br />1977-1981) and BRB-3 (orange shading, reclaimed 1982-1995) on SL-3 Exhibit B. The proposed <br />release area is also delineated on Attachment 1, of this proposed decision document. <br />18