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The 18 inch diameter black plastic culvert that had been in the side drainage on the north end of the <br />disturbed area had been removed. Several of the culvert sections had been temporarily stored at the <br />reclaimed coal stockpile area but those had been removed as well. <br />Piezometers and survey markers that had been located on the main mine site backfilled benches had been <br />reclaimed. The survey stakes and their associated pvc pipes had been pulled out and taken off site. The <br />piezometer pipes had been cut off at ground level and, along with the pvc pipes, had been removed. <br />Minrec had attempted to fill the piezometer holes with bentonite pellets, but the bentonite pellets were <br />bridging within the narrow piezometer holes. So, instead of filling the piezometer holes with bentonite, <br />the holes had been filled with soil. This revised reclamation process is acceptable because the shallow <br />depth piezometers were only in the backfill and did not penetrate any aquifers. <br />Minrec had sprayed some knapweed on the north side of the disturbed area and in an area next to <br />reclaimed pond 4. No other noxious weed occurrences were observed during the inspection. <br />The 3 underdrain pipes had been cut back to ground level and the pipe outlets were covered with rocks. <br />The mine identification sign and the "records location" sign on the entrance gate had been removed. <br />Surface disturbance markers around the disturbed area had also been removed. <br />SUMMARY AND FINDINGS OF COMPLIANCE <br />The Division has completed its review and evaluation of the Phase II and Phase III Final Bond Release <br />request submitted by Minrec, Inc. for the Blue Ribbon Mine. The Division finds that all reclamation <br />requirements, as detailed in the Division's Proposed Decision and Findings of Compliance for the Phase <br />II and Phase III Final Bond Release (surety release SL-2), have been successfully performed in <br />compliance with the reclamation plan that was approved in the Blue Ribbon Mine permit application and <br />with the Regulations of the Colorado Mined Land Reclamation Board for Coal Mining and the Colorado <br />Surface Coal Mining Reclamation Act. The Division's findings are based on the evaluation of the <br />information supplied in Minrec's SL-2 bond release submittal, as well as on information gathered in the <br />bond release field inspection, previous field inspections and review of the permit application package. <br />Rule 3.03.1(2)(b) states that "Up to eighty-five percent of the applicable bond amount shall be released <br />upon the establishment of vegetation which supports the approved postmining land use and which meets <br />the approved success standard for cover." <br />Further, Rule 3.03.1(2)(c) states that "The remaining portion of the bond amount shall be released when <br />the permittee has successfully completed all surface coal mining reclamation operations in accordance <br />with this approved reclamation plan, and the final inspection and procedures of 3.03.2 have been satisfied. <br />This shall not be before the expiration of the period specified for revegetation responsibility in 3.02.3." <br />Based on the reclamation completed at the Blue Ribbon Mine, the Division is proposing to release 100% <br />of the remaining applicable bond liability, or $42,065.00. This is the final bond release for all of the <br />reclamation work at the Blue Ribbon Mine. If the Division's proposed decision becomes final, the <br />Colorado Division of Reclamation, Mining and Safety will no longer have jurisdiction over the reclaimed <br />Blue Ribbon Mine. <br />The Division currently holds Certificate of Deposit No. 394312040022 for $48,000.00 through U.S. Bank <br />as the remaining reclamation bond. With the final approval of the Division's proposed decision to <br />approve SL-2, the total amount of this bond would be returned to Minrec, Inc.