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Phase III Bond Release <br />Phase III is the final phase of bond release. A Phase III bond release can occur: <br />1. No less than 10 years after the last year of augmented seeding, fertilizing, irrigation or <br />other work [Section 3.02.3(2)]; <br />2. When the permittee has successfully completed all surface coal mining reclamation <br />operations in accordance with the approved reclamation plan [Section 3.03.1(2)(c)]; <br />3. When all reclamation requirements of the Rules and the Act are fully met [Section <br />3.03.1(4)]; <br />4. When the final inspection procedures of 3.03.2 have been satisfied [Section <br />3.03.1(2)(c)]; and <br />5. For liability associated with temporary drainage and sediment control facilities, <br />including impoundments and conveying systems, only after final inspection, <br />acceptance, and approval by the Division. Such approval shall be granted based on <br />determination by the Division that backfilling and grading, topsoil replacement, and <br />reseeding of such facilities have been completed in compliance with the approved <br />plan. Vegetative cover must be adequate to control erosion and similar to the <br />reclaimed area or surround undisturbed area. Reclaimed temporary drainage control <br />facilities shall not be subject to the extended liability period of 3.02.3(2) or the bond <br />release criteria of 3.03.1(2) [Section 3.03.1(5)]. <br />Section 3.03.1(2)(c) also states that the final portion of performance bond, "shall be released <br />when the permittee has successfully completed all surface coal mining reclamation operations in <br />accordance with this approved reclamation plan, and the final inspection procedures of 3.03.2 <br />have been satisfied. This shall not be before the expiration of the period specified for <br />revegetation responsibility in 3.02.3." Section 3.03.1(4) also states, "No bond shall be fully <br />released until all reclamation requirements of these Rules and the Act are fully met..." The same <br />rule goes on to state, "No acreage shall be released from the permit area until all surface coal <br />mining and reclamation operations on that acreage have been completed in accordance with the <br />approved reclamation plan." <br />The criteria that must be met for a Phase III Bond Release are completion of the applicable <br />period of extended liability, revegetation success, suitability of land for postmining land use <br />and restoration of hydrologic balance. <br />Revegetation Success Standards <br />The revegetation success criteria for the topsoiled rangeland portion of the Moffat Area are <br />vegetative cover, productivity, species diversity, and woody stem density (WSD). cover, <br />productivity, and species diversity are based on reference area comparison. The woody stem <br />density standard is a numeric standard of 1000 stems per acre. <br />Edna Mine Page 12 April 12, 2013 <br />Phase II. and III Bond Release <br />