2012-03-27_REVISION - C1981010 (15)

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Protection of Ground Water Recharge Capacity The area disturbed by mining in the bond release area comprises a very small percentage of the length of the outcrop belt on the north slope of the Williams Fork Mountains where ground water is recharged. This disturbed area is too small to have reduced the regional ground water recharge below the approximate pre - mining recharge rate. On a local scale, the disturbed area does not significantly divert ground water flows to surface water flows (via spoil springs), and surface water infiltration has not been impaired; therefore, the approximate pre - mining ground water recharge rate has been preserved locally. Findings on Protection of Hydrologic Balance All of the observed hydrologic impacts are consistent with those predicted in the Division's Colorado River Cumulative Hydrologic Impact Assessment. Based on the foregoing observations, the Division finds that the Trapper Mine has minimized disturbance of the hydrologic balance in the mine plan and adjacent areas, and prevented material damage outside the permit area. The Division also finds that the Trapper Mine has not caused hydrologic changes that adversely affect the approved postmining land use in the permit area. Summary and Conclusions Based upon a review of the mine permit, the applicant's bond release application, and site inspections, the Division finds that Trapper Mining, Inc. has replaced topsoil in accordance with the approved reclamation plan. The Division further finds that Trapper Mining, Inc. has established vegetation which supports the approved post mine land use and meets the approved success standard for vegetative cover, production, species diversity and woody plant density. Post - mining land -use is supported by the documented wildlife use of the rangeland areas. Impacts to surface and ground water quality are minimal. The bond release block under consideration has achieved the minimum of ten years of revegetation liability responsibility (Rule 3.02.3(1)). V. PROPOSED DECISION Based on the observations above, the Division proposes to approve Trapper Mining Inc.'s request for a Phase III bond release (SL -13) for a portion of the Trapper Mine. This proposed decision will release the applicant from Phase III reclamation liability on bond release block "AD &F -ABC 99 -01" totaling 323.5 acres. Upon approval of bond releases SL -01, SL -02, SL -03, SL-04, SL-05, SL-06, SL -07, SL -09, SL- 10 and SL-12, the Division released the liability on the bond release blocks but did not return any monies to the operator. The previous bond releases applied to the backfilling, re- grading, suspended solids demonstration and vegetation establishment of 3,739.4 acres of lands associated with the Ashmore, Colt, Derringer, Enfield, Flintlock, Hawken and Z pits. An accounting of the bond release history is provided in the table above. Trapper Mine Phase III Bond Release (SL -13) Page 12 March 27, 2012