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0.14 tons/acre/year, calculated as: 40R X 0.30K X 0.18Ls X 0.0640 X 01.Op = 0.14 tons/acre/year. <br />The USLE is the product of the following five factors: rainfall-runoff (R), soil erodibility (K), slope- <br />length-steepness (LS), cover-management (C), and erosion control practice (P). The calculated soil <br />loss rate of 0.14 tons/acre/year is a moderate soil loss rate for flat-lying rangeland in southwest <br />Colorado, and indicates the cover is adequate for erosion control. <br />Support of Post-Mining Land Use <br />The reclaimed lands have vegetative cover composed of a variety of grasses, forbs, and woody <br />shrubs. The seasonality and forage characteristics of the vegetative species appear suitable for the <br />approved post-mining land use of wildlife habitat. Although no species of wildlife were seen during <br />the bond release inspection, there was evidence the area is visited by deer and small mammals. Hoof <br />prints and droppings have been found on the site during past inspections. Other wildlife that has <br />regularly been seen on past inspections include: small mammals (rabbits, mice, and squirrels), <br />raptors (hawks), and various small birds. Although the site could benefit from thistle spraying, <br />weed species comprise less than 8% of vegetative cover. No plant species have been found during <br />inspections that are toxic to wildlife. <br />No evidence of slope instability has been found in the reclaimed highwall area. The revegetation is <br />providing the long-term stable cover that is necessary for the land to properly function as wildlife <br />habitat. Based on the successful revegetation, and the observed successful wildlife use of the site, <br />the Division finds that the revegetation is capable of supporting the approved postmining land use of <br />wildlife habitat. <br />Subsidence Impacts <br />Underground mining was not conducted at the Coal Gulch Mine under Permit No. C-1984-067. The <br />only subsidence impacts that have been observed on the site were subsidence troughs in an area east <br />of the sediment control/mine water treatment pond where only pre-law mining activities were <br />conducted, as described in the Division's findings document for permit C-1984-067 dated September <br />3, 1985. <br />Completion of Final Inspection Required by Section 3.03.2(2) <br />As previously explained, the Division conducted a bond release inspection on May 18, 2010. The <br />inspection was conducted in accordance with Section 3.03.2(2). The inspection focused on <br />completion of reclamation work, success of the work, erosional and slope stability of the reclaimed <br />lands, and implementation of the postmining land use. As explained in the Division's inspection <br />report, field observations support a finding to approve the bond release application. <br />Completion of Evaluation Required by Section 3.03.2(2) <br />The Division has conducted an evaluation of the reclamation work, in accordance with Section <br />3.03.2(2). This evaluation considered, among other things: the results of inspections and monitoring, <br />the need for further reclamation work, whether pollution of surface or subsurface water is occurring, <br />7