2014-12-09_INSPECTION - C1981038

Home Browse Search

October 28, 2014 C -1981- 038 /Bowie No. 1 Mine MLT • Only the Paonia Loadout and Highway Coal Storage Area have yet to be backfilled and graded. RECLAMATION SUCCESS - Rule 4.15, Rule 3 • With the SL -05 application, BRL is requesting Phase I release of 0.45 acres at the West Mine Fan Bench and Phase II release for 24.0 acres. The Phase II area is divided into two distinct parcels: 13.8 acres at the West Mine, which was backfilled, topsoiled, and seeded by 2002; and 10.2 acres at the Timber Storage Area, reclaimed in 2008. • The bond release portion of the inspection began at 1:00 p.m. at the West Mine, where BLM is the main surface owner (BRL owns the northern tip of the Fan Bench). The Phase I and Phase II areas were traversed on foot, and holes were dug to verify topsoil replacement depths (Photos 6 and 12). Mr. Dyer departed when we finished with the West Mine. We proceeded next to the Timber Storage Area, where a second series of holes were dug in the topsoil. The inspection concluded at 5:30 p.m., following a brief return to the West Mine. • At the East Mine, a buried power line, including a series of above - ground boxes, is being retained as a permanent structure at the request of the surface landowner. A water line occupied the same utility corridor, connecting the Well Field with the upper fan bench. The water line stub protrudes from the hillside immediately above the bench (Photo 13). Please inform the Division of the intended plan for this line — is it to be capped or removed? REVEGETATION — Rule 4.15 Vegetative Cover; Timing: • Vegetation at the reclaimed West Mine (Photo 14) and Timber Storage Area (Photo 15) consist mainly of seeded and native species. With TR -58, cover on both areas was determined to be sufficient to prevent the contribution of solids in excess of natural conditions. • Resource confirmation drill holes 2011 -1 (Photo 10) and 2011 -2 (Photo 11) were inspected. We found that topsoil had been redistributed and that vegetation is becoming reestablished on the pads, although there was some Mullein present at both sites. FISH and WILDLIFE — Rule 4.18: • Late in the afternoon of the 28th, at the upper margin of the reclaimed West Mine, we observed a female Dusky Grouse with two juveniles (Photo 16). AVAILABILITY OF RECORDS — Rule 5.02.4(1): • Permit records were available for review in Basil Bear's office at the BRL Bowie No. 2 Mine surface facilities. A completed DRMS Availability of Records Form is attached to this report. ENFORCEMENT ACTIONS /COMPLIANCE No enforcement actions were initiated as a result of this inspection, nor are any pending. Number of Partial Inspection this Fiscal Year: 2 Number of Complete Inspections this Fiscal Year: 3 Page 5 of 15