2014-03-27_INSPECTION - C1981035

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March 24, 2014 C- 1981 - 035 /King Coal Mine MLT 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 King I ponds each continued to hold some water, although the levels have been steadily declining through the latter part of winter. The pond surfaces were no longer frozen. The impounding structures appeared to be stable, and the outslopes were covered with vegetation. Staff gauges were in place in the bottoms of the ponds. • Some grading work on the road up the face of the refuse pile is necessary. The ditch on the uphill side of the second switchback has been lost (Photo 2), which causes now to proceed along the roadway rather than being directed to the culvert inlet. (This area does drain to the sediment pond(s), so there is no potential for sediment to leave the disturbed area.) • For the SAE area on the King I access road, the silt fence is in need of some springtime maintenance. There was no evidence of any sediment having left the permit area. • Mr. Wymore took the opportunity to conduct GCC's monthly Stormwater inspection as we walked the two sites. • The King II pond was dry, and the primary and emergency spillways appeared to be in good condition. The embankment was stable and well vegetated (Photo 3). • Due to the dry, windy conditions, tumbleweeds have accumulated in low places throughout the King II area, such as the culvert inlets in the West clear water ditch and in the East clear water ditch. Routine maintenance of both of these features is recommended. • The straw wattles observed on previous inspections have nearly all been replaced with rock check dams and metal grates. Mr. Wymore said these materials have functioned better than the wattles did, and are easier to maintain. • The Hay Gulch irrigation ditch runs along the north side of the Co Rd 120, then crosses beneath the road at the King II entrance. Water was flowing in the ditch (Photo 4). PROCESSING WASTE /COAL MINE WASTE PILES — Rule 4.10 and 4.11 Drainage Control; Surface Stabilization; Placement: The road leading to the top of the refuse pile at King I was dry and accessible by vehicle. No new loads of coal mine waste (CMW) have been dumped on top of the pile this year, and no compaction has taken place. Throughout the winter, CMW has been dumped on the floor of the King I facilities area. • Mr. Wymore said that the clear water diversion ditch on the northern side of the refuse pile will be relocated further up the slope during 2014. We discussed potential scenarios for how the shift would best be accomplished. Once the new ditch is installed, or possibly as it is being constructed, depending upon the technique used, CMW can be placed within the existing ditch section, bringing that area flush with the rest of the pile. • Records indicate that the most recent compaction tests on coal mine waste placed on the refuse pile occurred in April 2012. When placement commences in 2014, it will be necessary to have an independent third party on -site to ensure that the required level of compaction is achieved, both for stability and to prevent spontaneous combustion. Number of Partial Inspection this Fiscal Year: 6 Number of Complete Inspections this Fiscal Year: 3 Page 3 of 9