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Trapper Mine, Trapper Mining Inc. <br />Colorado Division of Reclamation, Mining, and Safety (DRMS) Permit No. C- 1981 -010 <br />Phase II Bond Release Inspection SL13 <br />August 31, 2011 <br />Participants: Rob Zuber, DRMS <br />Elizabeth Shaeffer, OSM, Badge #377 <br />Graham Roberts, Trapper Mining, Inc. <br />Weather Conditions: Mid 70's, partly cloudy <br />Background: <br />By letter dated August 25, 2011, Trapper Mining Inc. (Trapper), permittee for the Trapper Mine, <br />applied for Phase III bond release, for approximately 365 acres of lands in the Ashmore (A), <br />Derringer (D), and Flintlock (F) Pits. The lands included in this SL13 bond release request <br />received Phase I and II bond release with DRMS approval of SL5 and SL6. <br />These areas were sampled during 2010 and 2011 by Kent Crofts of IME to determine vegetation <br />establishment success for Phase III bond release. In its bond release application package, <br />Trapper explained their vegetation sampling methods and results. The mine also included <br />documentation proving that the ten year liability period has been met for all of the reclaimed <br />parcels included in this bond release. Trapper concluded that they met or exceeded the <br />requirements specified in their permit, and applied for Phase III bond release (SL13). <br />Seven watersheds are related to these bond release parcels, and seven active NPDES outfalls that <br />discharge to the Yampa River lie within the areas requested for Phase III release. Section 4.2 of <br />the SL13 bond release application package, Surface Water Impacts, gives information about <br />these NPDES outfalls. <br />Trapper is not requesting a reduction to its bond. <br />Inspection: <br />The group met at the Trapper Mine Office Approximately 6 miles south of Craig, CO. Mr. <br />Roberts briefed us on the parcels that were included in SL13. We all drove in Mr. Roberts work <br />vehicle. <br />We began the bond release inspection at the A Pit (A -B -00, A -B -01, and A- B -99). The <br />vegetation in this area displays wonderful diversity and cover (see Photo 1). The A Pit topsoil is <br />quite sandy, which has proven to provide good soil conditions for this vegetation. A road goes <br />through an area in parcel A -B -99 that has some bare spots near the road. Adjacent to the road is <br />