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July 9, 2014 C- 1980- 007/West Elk Mine JRS <br />- All of the reclaimed MDW drill pads were graded to allow for positive drainage. While there were no <br />constructed post- mining drainage channels, the pads were all sloped to allow the surface water to run off of the <br />pads. The pads were small enough that sustained sheet flow will not be a problem. Additionally, on the majority <br />of the pads (including all of the pads that were even moderately steep) had both slash from the original site <br />grubbing and straw waddles placed on the pads. These two methods aid in decreasing the runoff velocity and help <br />in preventing erosion. Finally, all of the pads have been seeded. There was excellent first -year growth on all of <br />the pads. This further helps to control both the volume and velocity of any surface runoff. As stated in <br />"Backfilling and Grading" above, there were no erosional features noted on any of the MDW pads at the time of <br />the inspection. Based on the site inspection, the Division believes that all of the MDW pads have been graded in <br />such a way that the drainage control on these areas has been successfully reestablished. <br />- The Monument Dam borrow area was graded to allow for positive drainage off of the site. The upper edge of the <br />site is fairly steep but is quickly flattens out. While there were no post- mining channels on the reclaimed area, the <br />grade of the reclaimed borrow area allows for surface runoff. The grade of the area has been reduced enough and <br />the slope lengths are short enough to limit any adverse affects from sheet flow. Additionally, the site was well <br />vegetated and no erosional problems were noted. Based on the site inspection, the Division believes that all of the <br />Monument Dam borrow area has been graded in such a way that the drainage control on these areas has been <br />successfully reestablished. <br />RECLAMATION SUCCESS - Rule 4.15, Rule 3: <br />- Following the Partial Phase III Bond Release Inspection (on 10 July 2014) the Division inspected the reclaimed <br />MDW pads and roads in Box Canyon. These pads and roads were released on 11 February 2014 as a part of <br />Partial Phase I Bond Release SL -05. There was some cracking noted on some of the pads (at their interface with <br />the undisturbed areas) but it did not rise to the level of carving any of the pads or portions of the pads out of SL- <br />05. The Division noted that the pads would be monitored, which was the reason for this part of the inspection. <br />- The reclaimed portion of the road from the gate to the first drill pad was very well vegetated and stable. There <br />were no erosional problems noted on this portion of the road. Hound's tongue and Canada thistle was present on <br />this section of the road. It did appear that these weeds may have been sprayed. The number of these weeds <br />appeared to increase as we increased in elevation and entered the area where there was more canopy. Overall, the <br />reclamation success on this portion of the road was very good. <br />- The first drill pad ((MDW's 19 -07 and 19 -08) had excellent vegetative cover and was stable. The pad had good <br />drainage and there were no erosional problems noted on the pad. There was no evidence of any instability, <br />including settling, slumping or cracking. There was some Canada thistle and hound's tongue on the pad. It looked <br />like some of these plants had been sprayed while others looked like they may have been late emerging. West Elk <br />needs to keep up on the spraying of the weeds to keep them from getting out of control. Overall the reclamation <br />success on this pad is very good. <br />- The road from the first drill pad to the second drill pad was very well vegetated and stable. There were no <br />erosional problems noted on this portion of the road. Hound's tongue and Canada thistle was present on this <br />section of the road. It did appear that these weeds may have been sprayed (although there also appeared to be <br />many late emerging weeds that still need to be sprayed). Overall the reclamation success on this portion of <br />reclaimed road was excellent. <br />- The second drill pad (MDW 19 -06) and the short reclaimed road spur used to access it were both very well <br />vegetated and stable, with no erosional problems noted. The pad had positive drainage. There were no signs of <br />Number of Partial Inspection this Fiscal Year: I <br />Number of Complete Inspections this Fiscal Year: 0 <br />Page 8 of 54 <br />