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among other things, the results of inspections and monitoring, the need for further <br />reclamation work, whether pollution of surface or ground water is occurring, and the <br />probability of future occurrence of pollution. The results of the evaluation of hydrologic <br />impacts are summarized below. Field observations support a finding to approve the bond <br />release application. <br />Based on the foregoing observations, the Division finds that the 13.3 acres of the bond <br />release application meet the requirements for Phase III bond release. <br />Post-Mining Land Use <br />The post-mining land use for the bond release portions associated with SL-10 at the Edna <br />Mine is agricultural, hunting sub-classification. This classification is based on a September <br />5; 2002 letter from the Routt County Planning Department req„ecting that, at the roninletion <br />of reclamation, the area would be classified as Agricultural, hunting sub-classification. The <br />retention of the office with graveled parking facilities including well and septic system will <br />support the approved post-mining land use. The reclaimed areas of the sediment structures <br />have vegetative cover composed of a variety of grasses, fortis, and shrubs. The seasonality <br />and forage characteristics of the vegetative species appear suitable for the approved post- <br />mining land use. No weed problems or significant bare areas were found. <br />Evaluation of Hydrologic Impacts Required by Section 3.03.2(2) <br />Rule 3.03.2(2) requires the Division to evaluate hydrologic impacts prior to releasing <br />reclamation liability. This evaluation must consider whether pollution of surface or <br />subsurface water is occurring and the probability of future occurrence of such pollution. The <br />Division's evaluation is summarized below. <br />Ground Water Impacts <br />Mining and reclamation operations in the Edna Mine permit area are unlikely to have caused <br />adverse impacts to water in bedrock aquifers on the east side (Oak Creek drainage side) of <br />the mine because there was no significant disturbance of bedrock in this area. Also, <br />operations on the east side of the mine did not generate significant amounts of leachates or <br />contaminated discharges. A ground water point of compliance was not established for the <br />east side of the mine, based on the absence of the potential for the mine to negatively impact <br />the quality of bedrock ground water (memorandum in the hydrology file for permit C-80- <br />001, by Byron Walker of DRMS, dated October 5, 2006). <br />Surface Water Impacts <br />Instream Numeric Standards (CWQCC regulation 3.3.0) <br />The east side of the Edna Mine discharges surface runoff into Segment 7 (Oak Creek below <br />the town of Oak Creek wastewater plant) of Colorado Water Quality Control Commission <br />(CWQCC) Region 12 of the Yampa River basin. The mine operator monitored discharges <br />Edna Mine Page 9 December 11, 2009 <br />Phase I, II, and III Bond Release