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the SL-2 inspection, and in subsequent inspections, the Division's general conclusion is that reclaimed <br />areas have been restored to the approximate original contour of the pre-mining landscape. The present <br />surface configuration achieved by backfill and grading of the mined areas closely resembles the general <br />surface configuration of the land prior to mining. Reclaimed areas blend in well with existing <br />undisturbed landscape. Comparison of the Post-mining Topography Map (Exhibit 20-2) to pre-mining <br />topography as depicted on the Land Use Map (Exhibit 4-1), indicates that the major pre-mining <br />drainages were reconstructed in the approximate original locations, with additional drainage density <br />added by the construction of numerous small tributary channels. <br />Pre-mining and post-mining cross-sections provided on Bond Release Exhibit "D", for the Neck Pit and <br />South Pit areas, demonstrate that, while there is substantial variation in pre-mine and postmine <br />elevations in particular locations (up to 25' in some areas), the general nature of the topography was <br />restored. The cross-sections depict a close correspondence in the range of slope gradients pre-mining <br />and post-mining. <br />Backfill and grading compliance, including postmining channel design conformance and stability, is <br />addressed separately below for the three primary pit area parcels subject to the SL-2 application. <br />North Pit Area <br />Initial backfilling and grading work was done between 1996 through 2005 in the North Pit Area. A good <br />overview of this area showing that the backfill and grading work is complete and drainages have been <br />reestablished is provided in the aerial photograph in Attachment 2 - Photograph No. 1. The major <br />portion of the area was approved by the Division for Phase I bond release in SL-1, in 2007. SCC had <br />requested Phase I release for 188.1 acres the North Pit Area, under SL-1. The Division excluded 15.08 <br />acres from the release. Exclusion areas were: <br />• A remaining light use road along the northern portion of the release request area (4.90 acres); <br />• An area of gullies along the south and west edge of the release request area (6.25 acres); <br />• A highwall crack on the north and east edge of the proposed bond release area (0.81 acres); <br />• The entire length of post-mining drainage channel 10 (PM-10, 1.37 acres); <br />• The entire length of postmining drainage channel 13 (PM-13, 1.31 acres) and the gully above <br />(southwest of) PM-13 (0.44 acres), and; <br />• Pond 011 A (0.85 acres), which had been improperly included in the application, though it had <br />not yet been approved as permanent. <br />All of the SL-1 excluded areas described above were included in the SL-2 application, with the <br />exception of Stock Pond 011A. Subsequent to the SL-1 decision, within the Annand Draw watershed, <br />SCC reclaimed the 4.9 acre light use road, addressed the gullies along the southwest portion of the <br />reclaimed area by construction of postmining drainage channels PM-21 and PM-21 B, and made repairs <br />to channel PM-10. In the Grassy Creek watershed, SCC successfully repaired the highwall crack <br />northwest of Pond 01.1A, and reclaimed the light use road along Channel PM-9, down to Pond 011A. <br />Observations regarding the features of concern in the Annand Draw watershed are addressed in the <br />Division inspection report dated 10/12/09, for the 7/15/09 SL-2 inspection. The light use road had been <br />10