Laserfiche WebLink
May 16, 2014 C- 1981 - 014 /Southfield Mine JRS <br />- There is an spot along the undisturbed Newlin Creek north of the facilities area (along Fremont County Road 15) <br />that has been marked by the landowner. This spot was marked because there was a statement that there was <br />subsidence in this area that was causing water to flow from Newlin Creek into the mine. This area was walked as <br />well as the area upstream and downstream of this spot (for approximately 500 yards) and no evidence of any <br />subsidence cracking was seen. Based on the fallen leaves and pine needles in Newlin Creek at the spot of interest <br />and the approximately 500 yards upstream and downstream, it does not appear that any water has run in this <br />portion of Newlin Creek for quite some time. I did drive to the town park at the upper end of CR -15 and Newlin <br />Creek was flowing there. All of the water was being removed by the Town of Florence for domestic water use. <br />PROCESSING WASTE /COAL MINE WASTE PILES — Rule 4.10 and 4.11 <br />Drainage Control; Surface Stabilization; Placement: <br />- The refuse disposal area at the Southfield Mine has been reclaimed and has been granted a Phase I Bond Release <br />(SL -02). The refuse disposal area was well vegetated and stable and no erosional problems were noted on the pile <br />at the time of the inspection. The top of the pile was walked and appeared to have positive drainage for the entire <br />length of the pile. While, overall, the vegetative cover at the refuse disposal area was good, the older portions (the <br />pile progressed from the east to the west) had the best vegetation. There were several spots on the newest (circa <br />2003) reclamation that did not appear to have as much cover as these older areas. Given the dry conditions in the <br />area, this is not surprising. <br />- The perimeter ditch around the refuse disposal area remains stable. The ditch was clean and there were no <br />erosional problems noted in the ditch at the time of the inspection. <br />- The borrow area at the northwest edge of the refuse disposal area remains stable and well vegetated. The <br />vegetation is basically the same as that of the newer reclamation on the refuse disposal area and will benefit from a <br />few more growing seasons. The area has positive drainage and no erosional problems were noted at the time of <br />the inspection. <br />ROADS — Rule 4.03 Construction 4.03.1(3)/4.03.2(3) Drainage 4.03.1(4)/4.03.2(4) Surfacing and <br />Maintenance4.03.1(5) and (6)/4.03.2(5) and (6) Reclamation 4.03.1(7)/4.03.2(7): <br />- The mine entrance/haul road is a dirt road. The road appeared to be stable at the time of the inspection. There <br />were some minor ruts at the mine entrance gate and the permanent truck tunnel location (up to the old access <br />location to the facilities area) but these were not a problem at the time of the inspection. There were no erosional <br />problems noted on the road. The roadside ditch was well vegetated, clean and remained stable. <br />- The haul road to the refuse pile remained stable at the time of the inspection. The water bars were in place and <br />appeared to be functioning as designed. There was no rutting on the road and no erosional problems were noted. <br />The haul road ditch was stable, well vegetated and clean and no erosional problems were noted in the ditch. <br />- The light -use road along the north and east sides of the refuse disposal area is basically a two track road in some <br />locations at this time. Much of the road has become covered with vegetation due to lack of use. The road <br />remained stable and no erosional problems were noted on the road at the time of the inspection. <br />- The road to the Monarch Fan begins at the upper end of the old GEC East Pit. The road was well maintained <br />stable at the time of the inspection. There were no ruts or erosional problems noted on this road. There are water <br />bars along the steeper lower portion of the road. These water bars were in place and appeared to be functioning as <br />designed. The ditch, along the inside edge of the road, was clean and appeared to be stable. There were no <br />erosional problems noted in this ditch at the time of the inspection. <br />Number of Partial Inspection this Fiscal Year: 9 <br />Number of Complete Inspections this Fiscal Year: 4 <br />Page 4 of 24 <br />