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accordance with Section 3.03.2(2). The Division's bond release inspection reports <br />are on file at its Denver office. The inspections focused on a final evaluation of <br />all reclaimed areas, including erosion and slope stability of the reclaimed lands, <br />and implementation of the post mining land use. As documented in the Division's <br />inspection reports, field observations support a finding to approve a termination of <br />jurisdiction and liability release. <br />Completion of Evaluation Required by Section 3.03.2(2) <br />The Division has conducted an evaluation of the reclamation work, in accordance <br />with Section 3.03.2(2). This evaluation considered, among other things: the results <br />of inspections and monitoring, the need for further reclamation work, whether <br />pollution of surface or subsurface water is occurring, and the probability of future <br />occurrence of such pollution. The evaluation concluded that all reclamation has been <br />completed in the bond release area, no water pollution is occurring, and there is little <br />potential for future water pollution. <br />Findings on Protection of Hydrologic Balance <br />Mining occurred above the ground water table. No known springs or seeps exist in <br />the mined or adjacent area. Delagua Canyon is ephemeral, or intermittent, at best as <br />it passes through the permit area. Flow occurs only in response to snowmelt or storm <br />runoff following rainfall events. The Division finds that the Trinidad Basin Mine has <br />minimized disturbance of the hydrologic balance in the mine plan and adjacent areas, <br />and has prevented material damage outside the permit area. The Division also finds <br />that the Trinidad Basin Mine has not caused hydrologic changes that adversely affect <br />the approved post-mining land use in the permit area. <br />Permanent Pond Demonstration <br />Twelve former sediment ponds remain at the site. Two other ponds were reclaimed <br />by the Division over the revegetation liability period using forfeited bond money. No <br />bond money remains at this site. Most of the ponds have very limited capacity due to <br />initial small size and/or sedimentation over the revegetation period. These ponds are <br />dispersed over the reclaimed area which will assist in keeping grazing animals <br />dispersed over the revegetated area. No structural instability or signs of damage have <br />been observed or documented through inspection at any of the ponds. No buildings, <br />roads, or other structures exist in the immediate areas downstream of these ponds <br />should the pond fail through some catastrophic storm runoff event. All water <br />retained by the sediment ponds consists entirely of surface runoff from rain and <br />snowmelt; therefore, quality of the water retained in the ponds would be expected to <br />be excellent for domestic livestock and wildlife in general. The impoundments are in <br />compliance with the requirements of Rule 4.05.9(13). <br />20