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Completion of final inspection required by Section 3.03.2(2). As previously explained, the
<br />Division conducted a bond release inspection on April 17, 2007. The inspection was conducted in
<br />accordance with Section 3.03.2(2). The inspection focused on completion of reclamation work,
<br />success of the work, erosional and slope stability of the reclaimed lands, and implementation of the
<br />postmining land use. As explained in the Division's reports from the April 17, 2007 inspection and
<br />follow-up inspections on July 18, 2007 and August 23, 2007, field observations support a finding to
<br />approve Phases I, II, and III bond release for the four flume sites and the two piezometer sites.
<br />Completion of evaluation required by Section 3.03.2(2). The Division has conducted an evaluation
<br />of the reclamation work, in accordance with Section 3.03.2(2). This evaluation considered, among
<br />other things, the results of inspections and monitoring, the need for further reclamation work,
<br />whether pollution of surface or subsurface water is occurring, and the probability of future
<br />occurrence of such pollution. As previously described, the disturbances associated with the four
<br />flume sites and two piezometer sites have been properly reclaimed. The disturbances are too small
<br />to cause a significant adverse impact to the hydrologic balance. Based on the lack of potential for
<br />adverse hydrologic impact, the Division finds that Minrec has minimized disturbance of the
<br />hydrologic balance in the mine plan and adjacent areas, and prevented material damage outside the
<br />permit area. The Division also finds that Minrec has not caused hydrologic changes that adversely
<br />affect the approved postmining land use of wildlife habitat and rangeland in the permit area.
<br />Findings on Completion of the Reclamation Plan
<br />Minrec requested Phases I, II, and III (final) release for the 3,336-acre permit area, including the
<br />1,504.10-acre approved affected area. The Division reviewed the bond release application, the mine
<br />permit, and inspected the lands. Based on the review and inspection, the Division finds that Minrec
<br />has completed Phases I, II, and III bond release requirements for the two flume sites in North
<br />Thompson Creek, the two flume sites in Middle Thompson Creek, and piezometers D-1 A and D-2A.
<br />V. PROPOSED DECISION
<br />Based on the findings set forth above, the Division proposes to approve Minrec's request for
<br />Phases I, II, and III bond release for the 0.2 acre associated with: two flume sites in North
<br />Thompson Creek, the two flume sites in Middle Thompson Creek, and piezometers D-IA and D-
<br />2A. There is no reclamation work remaining to be done at those locations. The Division also
<br />proposes to release its jurisdiction over all areas inside the permit area which have previously
<br />received Phase III bond release that are outside of the areas affected by underground workings,
<br />and the 0.2 acre described above; therefore, this termination of jurisdiction applies to the
<br />following areas: the truck dump/loadout area, the former refuse disposal area, the two flume sites
<br />in North Thompson Creek, the two flume sites in Middle Thompson Creek, and piezometers D-
<br />1 A and D-2A.
<br />The Division proposes to terminate its jurisdiction on acreage amounts in the permit area, affected
<br />area, and disturbed area at the North Thompson Creek Mines as shown in Table 5. These changes
<br />include: termination of jurisdiction on 2,924.90 of the 3,336 permit area acres, leaving 411.10 acres
<br />that must remain in the permit area; termination of jurisdiction on 0.20 disturbed acre, leaving 4.10
<br />disturbed acres in the permit area; and termination of jurisdiction on 0.20 affected area acre, leaving
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