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to be performed in areas adjacent to the permit area (2.07.6(2)(i)). <br />10. In 1982 when the King Coal Mine permit was first issued, the required reclamation <br />liability was determined to be $97,500. By 2005, due to a series of increases to the size of <br />the permit area and increased costs for reclamation, the liability had risen to $238,849. <br />Estimated reclamation costs increased to $407,274 with the addition of the King II Mine in <br />2006. The estimate was again updated in during the 2010 Midterm Review to reflect <br />current costs, and the required surety was increased to $854,596. <br />The Division estimates the reclamation liability for mining operations in this permit term <br />to be $835,699.23. The Division currently holds an $855,161.05 performance bond for the <br />King Coal Mine. Of this total, $854,596.00 is posted in the form of a corporate surety and <br />the remaining $565.05 consists of cash bonds. No additional performance bond must be <br />submitted prior to issuance of a renewed permit (2.07.6(200)). <br />11. The Division has made a negative determination for the presence of prime farmland within <br />the permit area. The decision was based on NRCS soil maps for the area which <br />demonstrate that no prime farmland mapping units are found within the permit area <br />(2.07.6(2)(k)). <br />12. Based on information provided in the application the Division has determined that an <br />alluvial valley floor exists within the permit or adjacent area. The alluvial valley floor is <br />known as Hay Gulch and will be minimally affected by the King Coal Mine. (2.07.6(2)(k) <br />and 2.06.8(3)(c)). <br />For additional specific findings concerning this alluvial valley floor please see Section B. <br />XVII. <br />13. The Division hereby approves the post- mining land uses of the operation. It was <br />determined that post- mining land uses of rangeland and wildlife habitat, and a portion of <br />agriculture for the King I site only, meet the requirements of Rule 4.16 for the permit area <br />(2.07.6(2)(1)). <br />14. Specific approvals have been granted or are proposed. These approvals are addressed in <br />the following section, Section B (2.07.6(2)(m)). <br />15. The Division finds that the activities proposed by the applicant would not affect the <br />continued existence of endangered or threatened species or result in the destruction or <br />adverse modification of their critical habitats. This finding is based on a letter to the <br />Division from the Colorado Division of Wildlife, dated May 4, 2006, and a Memorandum <br />from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to the Office of Surface Mining, dated March 3, <br />2006 (2.07.6(2)(n)). <br />16. The Division has contacted the Office of Surface Mining, Reclamation Fees Branch. As of <br />this time, GCC Energy, LLC, the operator, is current in the payment of reclamation fees <br />required by 30 CFR Chapter VII, subchapter R (2.07.6(2)(0)). <br />13 <br />