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October 22, 2014C-1981-019/Colowyo Coal MineRDZ <br />Most of the ditches at the mine site were inspected from the aerial photographs. In addition, the following were <br />inspected on the ground: East Taylor, Taylor Tributary, Final East Pit, Prospect, and Section 28. All were stable <br />except erosion continues in East Taylor Ditch. Colowyo is addressing this with construction of a stock tank in the <br />channel above the problem (TR-104 is pending) and will re-work the riprap after the pond is built. The liner in the <br />Section 28 Ditch has a location near the bottom of the ditch where the liner slips out of place (a minor problem); <br />Kurtis Blunt pulled it back in place during the inspection. <br />The drainage off of the road along Taylor Creek has berm brakes to allow the road to dry out. This is acceptable <br />as long as sediment loads onto undisturbed areas are not created. As noted in theSigns and Markers section, <br />buffer zone signs are needed at these points. <br />ROADS –Rule 4.03 <br />Construction 4.03.1(3)/4.03.2(3) <br />Drainage 4.03.1(4)/4.03.2(4) <br />Surfacing and Maintenance4.03.1(5) and (6)/4.03.2(5) and (6) <br />Reclamation 4.03.1(7)/4.03.2(7): <br />Equipment was being used to continue building the new haul road to the South Taylor pit (Streeter Road). <br />RECLAMATION SUCCESS -Rule 4.15, Rule 3: <br />Rills and gullies in the watershed above the East Taylor Pond have been repaired, and vegetation has <br />begun to grow. Low spots near the confluence of East Taylor and Taylor Tributary Ditches are not exhibiting any <br />problems. <br />The West Pit reclamation area was viewed in the aerial photographs. No significant erosion was seen, but re- <br />seeding was being performed near the upper (southern) portion of the West Pit reclamation area. <br />Rills south of the Final East Pit Ditch have remained stable after repairs. <br />REVEGETATION –Rule 4.15 <br />Vegetative Cover; Timing: <br />Cheat grass and immature thistle plants were seen inthe area above the East Taylor Pond. Thistle was <br />observed near the Final East Pit ditch. A large amount of cheat grass was seen in the Prospect Ditch watershed; <br />some areas will be treated per Kurtis Blunt. Evidence of weed spraying was seen in many areas. <br />As noted in the Reclamation Success section, re-seeding was being performed near the upper (southern) portion of <br />the West Pit reclamation area. <br />SLIDES and DAMAGE -Rule 4.12: <br />The slump above the East Taylor Pond remains stable and is healing. <br />The area below the Section 28 Collector Ditch was inspected via aerial photographs. No sign of new damage to <br />the hillside was seen. <br />Number of PartialInspection this Fiscal Year: 3 <br />Number of CompleteInspections this Fiscal Year: 1 <br />421 <br />Page of <br />