_INSPECTION - C1981038 (2) - Laserfiche WebLink

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October 17,2013 C-1981-038/Bowie No. I Mine MLT vegetated (Photo 7), and the berm was in place. • At the East Mine, the West Ridge pond was retaining muddy water,but there was no evidence that any discharge had occurred. Pond 1 was dry, Ponds 2 and 3 held water, and Pond 4 was dry. According to Basil Bear, no discharge from Pond 4 occurred, but the ground surface downstream of the bin-wall structure was damp (Photo 8), so it may be that some seepage does occur when water is impounded. • It was evident that repairs had been made recently to the riprapped ditch that runs down the reclaimed face of the former crushing/screening bench (Photo 9). ROADS—Rule 4.03 Construction 4.03.1(3) /4.03.2(3); Drainage 4.03.1(4)/4.03.2(4); Surfacing and Maintenance 4.03.1(5) and (6)/4.03.2(5) and (6); Reclamation 4.03.1(7)/4.032(7): • The road to the West Mine was in fair condition,with the exception of a deep puddle immediately south of the guard rail-protected segment. As noted in previous inspection reports, the culvert draining this area has become clogged. • The main East Mine road was generally in good condition, with some mild channelization and erosion of the surface observed (Photo 10). The light use road that accesses Ponds 3 and 4 from Stevens Gulch Road was in good condition, and has a gravel surface. The road segment above these ponds was deeply eroded. REVEGETATION—Rule 4.15 Vegetative Cover; Timing: • Revegetation efforts appear to have been largely successful across the reclaimed areas. SUPPORT FACILITIES - Rule 4.04: • The Paonia Loadout facility continues to be utilized in support of the operator's Bowie No. 2 Mine. Miscellaneous equipment is stored on the two benches near the access to SH 133 (Photo 11). • No rail cars were being stored on the tracks, but there was a single piece of equipment (a crane)parked immediately north of the crossing below the gravel storage area (Photo 12). • Basil Bear said that the company intends to have the tracks and ties pulled from the site this year, and possibly some of the ballast. SIGNS AND MARKERS —Rule 4.02: • Mine identification signs were posted at each of the mine's entrances from public roadways. • Disturbance markers (T-posts sheathed in white PVC pipe)were installed around the perimeters of the disturbed areas. ENFORCEMENT ACTIONS/COMPLIANCE No enforcement actions were issued as a result of this inspection, and none are pending. Number of Partial Inspection this Fiscal Year: 4 Number of Complete Inspections this Fiscal Year: 2 Page 4 of 11