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III. OBSERVATIONS AND FINDINGS <br />PHASE I <br />Area 1 is comprised of 111.3 acres to the north of lands previously granted Phase I bond release <br />under SL-08. Land surface is owned by Benson, Richards, San Miguel Power and WFC. <br />Additionally, segments of BB Road and 2700 Road are incorporated. Backfill and grading of <br />Area 1 occurred in 2004 and 2005. <br />Area 2 is located at the far eastern end of the permit area, north of the office and shop facilities <br />area. It consists of 5.4 acres, on property owned by Moore. This area was backfilled and graded <br />in 1995. (This area is also included in the application for Phase II bond release.) <br />Field data on elevation and grade were collected from portions of Phase I Area 1 located north of <br />BB Road, and were found to compare favorably with surface contours depicted in WFC's <br />proposed post mining topography, as shown on Map 2.05.4-1, Existing & Projected Reclamation <br />Contours, of the PAP. The majority of the ground surface slopes to the south at 2-3%. A portion <br />of the area slopes gently to the north, before the slope steepens in its drop to Tuttle Draw. A <br />contour ditch had been dug across the top of the steep slope at the northern edge of the area, <br />directing surface flow westward and ultimately to Pond 009. Surface runoff flowing to the south <br />from Area 1 is collected in the roadside ditch that parallels reconstructed BB Road. The ditch <br />flows westward, and water is directed via a series of culverts and ditches to Sediment Pond 008. <br />At the northeastern corner of Area 1, Sediment Pond 014 has been designed and constructed to <br />contain a 100-year 24-hour storm event. <br />No evidence of surface instability was observed at Area 1 or Area 2. Flatter portions of the <br />reclaimed areas are uniformly graded, and the steeper slopes were found to be stable with respect <br />to erosion and slumping or sloughing. No swales or depressions were observed that would be <br />likely to have a negative effect on the approved postmining land uses. <br />The perimeters of Area 1 and Area 2 have been successfully graded to blend with the adjacent <br />and surrounding topography. The BB Detour Road, which may or may not be reclaimed in the <br />future, forms the north and east perimeters of Area 1. Area 1 is bounded on the west by the <br />reconstructed 2700 Road, and by reclaimed irrigated pasture on the south. <br />Portions of BB Road and 2700 Road are included within the Area I of Phase I. The road surfaces <br />have been constructed with sufficient cross slope to direct flow to the roadside ditches. The <br />ditches have been constructed to convey flow parallel to the road system. BB Road ditches flow <br />west to connect with the 2700 Road ditch that flows to Pond 008. The eastern ditch along 2700 <br />Road flows ultimately to Pond 011. Ditches along the northern portion of 2700 Road direct flow <br />to Pond 009. <br />9