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Findings on Protection of Hydrologic Balance <br />Other than the sediment/ mine water treatment pond, the depression which impounds water, and a <br />diversion ditch, all hydrologic structures have been reclaimed, and there is no water pollution <br />occurring. All of the observed hydrologic impacts are consistent with those predicted in the <br />Division's Animas River Cumulative Hydrologic Impact Assessment. Based on the foregoing <br />observations, the Division finds that the Coal Gulch Mine has minimized disturbance of the <br />hydrologic balance in the mine plan and adjacent areas, and prevented material damage outside the <br />permit area. The Division also finds that the Coal Gulch Mine has not caused hydrologic changes <br />that adversely affect the approved postmining land use in the permit area. <br />V. SUMMARY <br />The Coal Gulch Mine is a revoked-permit site. Reclamation was completed by the Division's <br />Inactive Mines Program. No money remains for any additional work at the site. No public <br />comments were received concerning the TOJ process from the public or from the landowners. <br />Representatives of the Office of Surface Mining attended the final inspection and indicated no <br />objections to the TOJ. Periodic field inspections by the Division have identified no significant on- <br />the-ground issues and final inspection indicated the site is in good condition. The postmining land <br />use of wildlife habitat has been achieved, with a self-sustaining mix of grasses, forbs, and shrubs as <br />demonstrated by the results of two years of vegetation sampling. Actual use of the reclaimed area by <br />wildlife has been demonstrated during the latter years of the revegetation period. The site presents <br />no hazards to public health and safety. <br />VI. PROPOSED DECISION <br />The Division finds that all surface coal mining reclamation operations have been completed in <br />accordance with the approved reclamation plan and all reclamation requirements of the Rules and the <br />Act have been met, to the extent possible considering the permit revocation/bond forfeiture status of <br />the mine site. The site appears to have successfully achieved the postmining land use. Based on the <br />findings set forth above, the Division proposes to terminate jurisdiction at the Coal Gulch Mine. <br />This proposed decision terminates all Division of Reclamation, Mining and Safety involvement for <br />the permit area of the Coal Gulch Mine Mine. <br />Any person with a valid legal interest which might be adversely affected by this proposed decision <br />may request a formal public hearing before the Mined Land Reclamation Board in accordance with <br />Section 3.03.2(6). Public notice of this proposed decision will be published twice in the Durango <br />Herald for two weeks as soon as possible. Requests for public hearing must be submitted to the <br />Division in writing within thirty days of the first publication in the Durango Herald. If no hearing is <br />requested within thirty days, the Division's decision will become final. <br />10