2012-03-27_GENERAL DOCUMENTS - C1981010

• Permit No: C1981010
• IBM Index Class Name: General Documents
• Doc Date: 3/27/2012
• Doc Name: Findings of Compliance and Proposed Decision ‎(SL13)‎
• From: DRMS
• To: Trapper Mining, Inc
• Permit Index Doc Type: Findings
• Email Name: JLE
• Email Name: SB1
• Media Type: D
• Archive: No

Flume and Middle Flume drainages and associated sediment ponds remain in the permitted
area and are not a part of SL -13 Phase III bond release.
The Division found all reclamation efforts pertaining to the Phase II bond release were
completed and in compliance on September 6, 2005.
Phase III Bond Release
Rule 3.03.1(2)(c) states that the final portion of performance bond, "shall be released when the
permittee has successfully completed all surface coal mining reclamation operations in
accordance with this approved reclamation plan, and the final inspection procedures of 3.03.2
have been satisfied. This shall not be before the expiration of the period specified for
revegetation responsibility in 3.02.3." Rule 3.03.1(4) states, " No bond shall be fully released
until all reclamation requirements of these Rules and the Act are fully met... ". The same rule
goes on to state, " No acreage shall be released from the permit area until all surface coal mining
and reclamation operations on that acreage have been completed in accordance with the
approved reclamation plan."
Trapper Mining, Inc. provided in the application documentation of the seed mixtures planted
for each parcel. Seed mixes used were in accordance with the approved reclamation plan.
All lands requested in the current Phase III Bond release application (SL -13) have been
approved for Phase I and II bond release during SL -05 or SL -6. Final reclamation success
was evaluated for vegetation success for vegetative cover, herbaceous productivity, species
diversity and woody plant density on lands designated as range A and B. On lands
designated as range site C, final reclamation success was evaluated for vegetative cover,
herbaceous productivity and diversity. The reclaimed landscape was evaluated for evidence
of erosional features. TMI has not requested elimination of the SL -13 bond release area from
the permit boundary area at this time. Evaluation of the post mining land use was considered
during the Division's review of the SL -06 (Phase II) bond release application.
IV. OBSERVATIONS AND FINDINGS
The criteria that must be met for a Phase III Bond Release are completion of the period of
extended liability, revegetation success, suitability of land for the post mining land use and
restoration of the hydrologic balance.
Period of Extended Liability
The period of extended liability is a minimum of ten year for the Trapper Mine. Reclamation
for the proposed Phase III parcels was completed in 1999, 2000, and 2001. Vegetation
surveys were completed in September of 2010 and August 2011 as per Rule 4.15.7(5). There
was no additional work performed at the mine site that would extend the liability period.
Drainage collection ditch removal and reclamation are exempt from a minimum liability period
under Section 3.03.1(5). The ten -year liability period following seeding in 2001 expired in
October 2011; therefore, the Division finds that the Trapper Mine meets the requirement of
section 3.02.3 for a 10 year liability period for vegetation.
Trapper Mine Page 6 March 27, 2012
Phase III Bond Release (SL -13)