1993-11-26_GENERAL DOCUMENTS - C1981025

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Proposed Decision -North Thompson CreeklPhase II Bond Release November 26, 1993 Page 4 III. CRITERIA FOR BOND RELEASE A permittee is eligible for Phase II Bond Release when the reclaimed area is contributing suspended solids to streamflow or runoff outside the permit area at levels equal to or less than levels found in non-mined areas, according to Rule 3.03.1(3)(b). Up to 85% of the bond may be released upon the successful establishment of the vegetative cover, based on remaining reclamation costs at the site, per Rule 3.03.1(2)(b). The Division reviews topsoil replacement depths, erosion data and the general geo- morphology of the site, as well as vegetative cover and species diversity data when evaluating a Phase II Bond Release request. A bond is calculated which would cover the costs to the Division to bring an independent contractor on site to complete any remaining reclamation. This bond includes a component for vegetation failure. IV. EVALUATION On October 6, 1993, a Phase II Bond Release inspection was performed at the North Thompson Creek Mines. Although the operator originally requested a Phase II Bond Release for both the mine site and the loadout site, only the disturbed prime farmland portion of the loadout site was inspected or considered for Phase II Bond Release for the following reasons: A technical revision (TR-12) to the permit changed the post-mining land use of a portion of the loadout, known as the Diamond A Parcel, from agricultural to residentiallndustrial to allow the construction of a golf course and residential development. The ultimate effect of the TR, which was approved in March 1992, was to allow for removal of the Diamond A Parcel from the mine permit area after the commencement of earth-moving activities for the development. At the time the bond release request was submitted, earth-moving activities at the Diamond A Parcel had not yet begun, so the loadout site was included in the request. The developer, Aspen Glen, has subsequently commenced earth-moving activities. Therefore, the operator has submitted a technical revision to remove the Diamond A Parcel from the permit area concurrently with a final iPhases II and III) bond release request for the Diamond A Parcel. Consequently, the bond release for the Diamond A Parcel will be considered separately from the bond release at the mine site. Larry Routten and Barbara Pavlik led the inspection, and it was attended by Henry Austin, OSM Albuquerque, landowner Robert Perry and his associate Bill Fales, and Jim Stover of MINREC. The first condition which must be met for Phase II Bond Release concerns erosional stability at a site, as defined by Rule 3.03.1(3)(b). A site should not contribute suspended solids to streamflow or runoff outside the permit area in excess of pre-mining levels, as determined by baseline data, or in excess of adjacent undisturbed areas.