2014-10-06_INSPECTION - C1981019

Home Browse Search

September 30, 2014 C- 1981 - 019 / Colowyo Coal Mine RDZ 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: No problems were seen with the Streeter Gulch Ditch repair from approximate stations 25 to 30 (Area 2 in the Colowyo proposal of July 15, 2014). A backhoe was used to clear the channel of sediment and create a small berm on the south side of the ditch. The operation created a relatively small disturbance that should heal itself with vegetation growth over the next growing season. The widest part of the disturbed area is approximately 22 feet and (as measured with a range finder) 167 meters in a direct line, or approximately 500 feet along the sinuous channel. The tracks for access to the ditch look like they will not leave a visible mark for more than a season. Two sumps along the road to the Taylor ponds were inspected. Sump 92 contained a lot of water and sediment and requires maintenance, as does the road beside it. Sump 43 was clear of water and sediment. There were no signs of sediment loading from the road or sumps onto undisturbed areas near the Taylor Creek Buffer Zone. The following ponds were inspected: Section 28, Work Area, Wash Bay, Prospect, Gulch A, Streeter, Gossard Loadout, Rail Loop, and Stoker Siding. The following ponds were discharging: Streeter, Prospect (very small trickle), Gossard, and Stoker Siding. For all discharging ponds, no sign of pollutants was observed. Most of the rest of the ponds were not discharging but held water. Gulch A was the exception; it was dry. The primary spillway at the Work Area Pond is still leaking; a small flow was seen even though the water level is well below the weep hole. Kurt Blunt believes that there may just be a bolt that needs to be tightened. Also, the pipe next to the flume for the Work Area Pond is leaking still. Colowyo staff should fix these problems as soon as practical. The inspection included watching the monitoring of water quality at the three loadout ponds (the Rail Loop was not discharging). Kurt Blunt used instruments to measure field parameters (Cole - Parmer for pH and YSI meter for conductivity and temperature). The pH meter was calibrated in the office with fluids for pH levels of 4, 7, and 10. Discharge from Gossard had a pH of 7.62, temperature of 11.8 degC, and conductivity of 2,226 µS /cm. Discharge from Stoker Siding had a pH of 8.6 1, temperature of 11.9 degC, and conductivity of 1,652 µS /cm. Other issues and comments regarding the ponds: • It is unclear if the primary spillway for Prospect Pond needs further repair. Despite the water level being more than two feet below the weep hole, there was a slight discharge through the spillway; this may have been due to rain falling directly in the spillway. • Vegetation on the Prospect Pond embankment has grown well in recent weeks. • The sump above the Wash Bay Pond has been cleaned, and the boom is in place. Sediment levels in the Rail Loop Pond are very high at the inlet. • The flume at Stoker Siding requires clearing of vegetation. Culverts were not inspected. Per Kurt Blunt, inspection by Colowyo staff (and sediment removal as necessary) is planned for all culverts in the near future due to the time of year and the recent heavy rains. GENERAL MINE PLAN COMPLIANCE: The Colowyo Coal Mine was generally found to be in compliance with the mine plan. No unauthorized activities were seen along Wilson Creek (CR51 was driven for several miles) or in other areas of the site. Number of Partial Inspection this Fiscal Year: 2 Number of Complete Inspections this Fiscal Year: 1 Page 3 of 11