_INSPECTION - C1981038 (2) - Laserfiche WebLink

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October 17,2013 C-1981-038/Bowie No. I Mine MLT EXCESS SPOIL and DEVELOPMENT WASTE—Rule 4.09 Placement; Drainage Control; Surface Stabilization: • Coal Mine Waste is permanently stored in two locations at the East Mine: the "Old" and "West Ridge" (Photo 1) disposal areas. Each of these structures was inspected and appeared to be stable, with drainage routed around the piles and the surfaces well vegetated with an established cover. FISH and WILDLIFE—Rule 4.18: • The first hunting season concluded the day prior to the inspection, and the second season was scheduled to begin on the day following the inspection. • Mule deer were sighted at the West Mine and at the East Mine, and tracks were plentiful throughout the permit area. Elk, and possibly moose, tracks were observed at the upper reclaimed levels of the East Mine. • Cottontail rabbits were spotted at the Timber Storage Area and at the East Mine. HYDROLOGIC BALANCE - Rule 4.05 Drainage Control 4.05.1, 4.05.2, 4.05.3; Siltation Structures 4.05.5, 4.05.6; Discharge Structures 4.05.7, 4.05.10; Diversions 4.05.4; Effluent Limits 4.05.2; Ground Water Monitoring 4.05.13; Surface Water Monitoring 4.05.13; Drainage—Acid and Toxic Materials 4.05.8; Impoundments 4.05.6, 4.05.9; Stream Buffer Zones 4.05.18: • The area received above-average rainfall during the month of September. Each of the sedimentation ponds was inspected, and roughly half were found to be holding water. • At the West Mine,ponds W-I and W-2 were both dry. The pond inslopes and impounding structures were well vegetated, and appeared to be stable; the riprap-lined spillways were clear(Photos 2 and 3). • Roatcap Creek, which flows through a culvert beneath W-1 and W-2, was running at a trickle. The culvert inlet was clear and unobstructed. • Silt fence at the Timber Storage Area had been recently replaced, as was requested in previous inspection reports. The reconstructed channel of Stevens Gulch is becoming well stabilized, with the establishment of willows and other vegetation (Photo 4). • The Timber Storage Area sedimentation pond was dry. The primary spillway gate was in the closed position, and the outlet end of the spillway culvert was clear. The emergency spillway was riprapped and clear. Revegetation at this pond is truly spectacular, with well-developed grasses and mature trees that are flourishing (Photo 5). • The Loadout pond held a puddle of water. The gate valve for the primary spillway was closed. Some erosion was noted from the upstream spillway corner of the northern bin-wall (Photo 6). The cause of the erosion is not clear, but the structure does need to be repaired. • The pond at the Coal Storage Area was dry, but water was standing in the ditch that flows to the pond from the southwest, parallel to the railroad tracks. Some minor grading may be needed, in order to ensure positive drainage to the pond. • The SAE slope below the railroad tracks at the northeastern end of the Loadout was well Number of Partial Inspection this Fiscal Year: 4 Number of Complete Inspections this Fiscal Year: 2 Page 3 of 11