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reclamation plan." The post mining land use for the site is rangeland. A Phase III <br />bond release can occur: <br />• When the minimum period of liability of 10 years is met. [Section <br />3.02.3(2)(b)]; <br />• When the permittee has successfully completed all surface coal mining <br />reclamation operations in accordance with the approved reclamation plan <br />[Section 3.03.1(2)(c)]; <br />• When all reclamation requirements of the Rules and the Act are fully met <br />[Section 3.03.1(4)]; and <br />• When the final inspection and evaluation procedures of Section 3.03.2 have <br />been satisfied [Section 3.03.1(2)(c)]. <br />IV. OBSERVATIONS AND FINDINGS <br />Previous Bond Releases <br />A Phase I bond release for the Trinidad Basin Mine site was approved in August 1986. <br />Subsequent bond release requests were denied in August 1992, coincident with the <br />permit revocation and bond forfeiture process that occurred at that time. <br />Public Notice and Public Comment <br />The Division published notice of the bond release and termination of jurisdiction in <br />the The Chronicle-News once weekly for four consecutive weeks, beginning on <br />November 24, 2009 and ending on December 15, 2009. <br />Thirty-two different entities, including surface owners, mineral owners, and the Las <br />Animas County Commissioners, were notified by certified mail of the Division's <br />intentions to terminate jurisdiction at this mine site. Five of these notification letters <br />were returned undeliverable with 27 of the letters successfully received and accepted <br />by the recipient. No comments, questions, or requests to attend the bond release <br />inspection were received by the Division for any of the parties notified. <br />Backfilling and Grading <br />All areas have been appropriately backfilled and graded to the approximate original <br />contour. All reasonably available spoil in the permit area was utilized. Backfilled <br />slopes are compatible with the rural residential land use on the west side of the <br />permit area and the post mining land use of rangeland for the eastern 'h of the permit <br />area. Edges of the disturbed area blend well into the adjacent, undisturbed areas. <br />The requirements of Rule 4.14 have been met to the extent applicable. <br />13