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The August 27, 2008 Phase II and Phase III Final Bond Release inspection and follow up inspection of <br />August 27, 2009 confirmed that all required reclamation activities were performed in compliance with the <br />approved reclamation plan and the Regulations of the Colorado Mined Land Reclamation Board for Coal <br />Mining. <br />The Division's monthly field inspections of the Blue Ribbon Mine have not revealed any problems that <br />would negatively affect the final bond release. The reclaimed mine site has a very good vegetative cover <br />that has prevented any erosional problems. There have not been any indications of any slope stability <br />problems with the backfilled slopes. Further, there is positive drainage off of the benches and bench <br />outslopes. <br />The Division's reviews of the Annual Hydrology Reports, Annual Reclamation Reports and Annual Rill <br />and Gully Surveys that Minrec had submitted over the years for the Blue Ribbon Mine have concluded <br />that the mine operations have not had any negative impacts to the hydrologic regime and that reclamation <br />activities have been successful. <br />Blue Ribbon Mine Phase II and Phase III Final Bond Release Inspections <br />The first Phase II and Phase III Final Bond Release inspection for the Blue Ribbon Mine was held on <br />August 27, 2008. Representing the operator, Minrec, Inc., was Stan Muhr, owner, and Jim Stover, <br />Minrec's consultant. Ryan Taylor represented the USDA-Forest Service and Desty Dyer represented the <br />U.S. Bureau of Land Management. Both federal agencies are surface managers within the permit area. <br />Jim Kiger represented Oxbow Mining, LLC, a fee surface owner of a portion of the mine site. Joe Dudash <br />represented the Colorado Division of Reclamation, Mining and Safety. Representatives of the U.S. Office <br />of Surface Mining and the holders of the Allen grazing rights had been notified of the inspection but did <br />not attend. <br />As a result of the August 27, 2008 Phase II and Phase III Final Bond Release inspection at the Blue <br />Ribbon Mine, several conclusions were reached and several issues remained to be resolved concerning <br />field work: <br />1. The backfilling and grading work and the established vegetative cover were appropriate for final <br />bond release. However, final bond release could not be granted until pond 4 and pond 5 were <br />backfilled and graded and an appropriate vegetative cover established. <br />2. Minrec needed to submit a revision to incorporate the soil loss comparison evaluation into the <br />permit application. Upon Division approval of the revision, reclamation of pond 4 and pond 5 <br />could begin. <br />3. Oxbow Mining previously assumed responsibility for the Hubbard Creek crossing culvert and <br />short section of entrance road for its Elk Creek Mine. No further permitting or field work needed <br />to be done. <br />4. By letters dated June 29, 2005 and August 29, 2008, Oxbow Mining requested that the dirt road <br />leading to pond 5 be retained, but that ponds 4 and 5 should be reclaimed. The Division approved <br />Oxbow's request. <br />5. As requested by Oxbow in their August 29, 2008 letter to the Division, pond 5 should be <br />backfilled and graded by pushing in only the southern portion of the pond embankment while <br />removing discharge pipes and filling in the spillway.