(1) Except as provided in 82-4-235(4), MCA, et seq., the minimum period of responsibility for reestablishing vegetation begins after the last seeding, planting, fertilizing, irrigating, or other activity related to phase III reclamation as determined by the department unless it can be demonstrated that such work is a normal husbandry practice that can be expected to continue as part of the postmining land use or if discontinuance of the practices after the liability period expires will not reduce the probability of permanent revegetation success.

(2) Except as provided in 82-4-235(3), MCA, an application for phase III bond release may not be submitted prior to the end of the tenth growing season.