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Bond Release on Pre-Law and Interim Program Areas Page -2- <br /> Colorado Open Mining Land Reclamation Act of 1973 - (Effective on July 1 , 1973) <br /> .R.S. 7973, 34-32-101 et. seq. <br /> 1 . Grading must strike off all the peaks and ridges to a width of not less <br /> than 15 feet, and to the greatest extent possible, restore slopes to their <br /> original condition. No slope was to be too steep to be traversed by <br /> livestock subject to Board approval. <br /> 2. Seeding requirements were similar to the 1969 law, with the seed mixture <br /> chosen using the advice of qualified experts. No grazing was permitted <br /> until the vegetation was firmly established as determined by the Board, <br /> landowner, and the Soil Conservation Service. <br /> 3. Whenever possible, the operator was to retain topsoil for reclamation. <br /> 4. If the land could not be successfully reclaimed within 10 years because of <br /> acid or toxic material , or because of the texture of the material , an <br /> equivalent number of acres of previously mined and unreclaimed land could <br /> be reclaimed in its place to satisfy the surety requirements. The area to <br /> be traded must be shown on a map. <br /> (Reclamation Board Rules Effective February 25, 1976) <br /> These rules, again, expanded the detail needed in a permit application <br /> concerning the methods of reclamation and type of reclamation that was <br /> proposed to be achieved. <br /> 1. Grading was to be: Appropriate to the post-mining land use; a physically <br /> attractive surrounding; and, completed to control erosion and siltation of <br /> the affected area, surrounding property, and water courses. The Board <br /> could require terracing. <br /> 2. All available topsoil was to be removed and replaced on the backfilled and <br /> graded area. <br /> 3. Revegetation had to "establish a diverse, effective, and permanent <br /> vegetative cover native to the area of land that was affected and was to <br /> be capable of self-regeneration and plant succession without dependence on <br /> irrigation, soil amendments or fertilizer, at least equal in extent of <br /> cover to the natural vegetation of the area prior to any mining. <br /> Introduced species could be utilized on a temporary basis as a method of <br /> preparing the land for establishment of native species. <br /> 4. Bond release required the Board to affirmatively find that reclamation was <br /> successful and complete. This judgment was to be based on completion of <br /> the reclamation plan, compliance with the rules, and the land's capability <br /> to sustain the planned land use. The Board could require grazing to gauge <br /> tolerance to pressure and could release the bond in whole or in part. <br />