Laserfiche WebLink
days of completeness due to the time of year (winter) at which the application was determined to be <br />complete. The June date was selected in order to observe the success of both cool-season and <br />warm-season grasses. The bond release inspection was attended by Johnny Rich, of Honeywood; <br />Jim Stover, P.E., of J.E. Stover & Associates (consultant to Honeywood); Dave Andrews, <br />landowner; and Marcia Talvitie and Dan Mathews of the Division. William E. Bray, a second <br />landowner, was notified of the inspection via certified mail, but he did not participate. <br />Honeywood conducted a second revegetation study in the summer of 2010, which was submitted to <br />the Division on November 1, 2010. In addition to Phase II bond release, this study was also <br />designed to serve as Year 1 of 2 for the Phase III Bond Release Evaluation. <br />During the June 3, 2010 bond release inspection, the depth of topsoil redistribution was field- <br />checked for reclaimed Mining Area Nos. 1 and 3. The Division's preliminary determination was <br />that adequate soil thicknesses had not been replaced in Mining Area Nos. 1 and 3. Supplemental <br />information regarding the topsoil resource was submitted by Honeywood on November 19, 2010. <br />H. CRITERIA AND SCHEDULE FOR BOND RELEASE <br />PHASE II <br />Rule 3.03.1(2)(b) states, "Up to eighty-five percent of the applicable bond amount shall be released <br />upon the establishment of vegetation which supports the approved postmining land use and which <br />meets the approved success standard for cover... based on statistically valid data collected during a <br />single year of the liability period". <br />In regard to Phase II bond release, Rule 3.03.1(3)(b) also states, " No more than sixty (60) percent of <br />the bond shall be released so long as the lands to which the release would be applicable are <br />contributing suspended solids to streamflow or runoff outside the permit area in excess of <br />premining levels as determined by baseline data or in excess of levels determined on adjacent <br />nonmined areas". <br />Rule 3.03.1(3)(c) states that, "Where a silt dam is to be retained as a permanent impoundment... <br />more than sixty percent of the bond may be released only so long as provisions for sound future <br />maintenance by the permittee or the landowner have been made with the Division. <br />Although not specifically addressed in Rule 3.03, the Division evaluates topsoil replacement in <br />conformance with Rule 4.06, and permit requirements, as a component of Phase II bond release. <br />The approved reclamation plan for the Hamilton Mine is found in Section 2.05.4 of the permit. <br />Topsoil replacement for Mining Area No. 1 was to be 10 inches, while Mining Area No. 3 was <br />projected to receive 16.4 inches of replaced topsoil. Vegetative cover and production were to be <br />evaluated by comparing the reclaimed areas to reference areas which were established during the <br />baseline studies. Collection and analysis of cover and production data is described in section <br />2.05.4(2)(e) of the permit. The proposed postmining land use for the Hamilton Mine is improved <br />rangeland and wildlife habitat. Plant species to be used in revegetation were selected for their <br />3