Laserfiche WebLink
June 23, 2015 C-1981-019/Colowyo Coal Mine RDZ <br />The inspection entailed a check of individual blasting shot records, as well as monitoring records. Both the <br />individual shot records and the monitoring records included records for the past 36 months (or more). The <br />detailed records for several recent shots between June 16 and June 23 were reviewed. All of the shot records <br />contained the required information in Rule 4.08.5. <br />Monitoring records (air blast and seismic) were reviewed for the period 5 May 2015 to 3 June 2015. Records for <br />these dates did not show reading times that corresponded with the times of blasts (noon or 4 PM), with one <br />exception. For the exception, the peak particle velocities and decibel level were well below the rule requirements <br />of 0.75 in/s and 133 dB. <br />FISH and WILDLIFE — Rule 4.18: <br />A herd of approximately 100 elk were seen near the Section 16 Pond; it consisted mostly of cows and <br />calves. Other wildlife was seen during the inspection: ducks at the Work Area Pond, hawks above the East Taylor <br />Pond, and rabbits near Prospect Ditch. <br />HYDROLOGIC BALANCE - Rule 4.05 <br />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; <br />Diversions 4.05.4; Effluent Limits 4.05.2; Ground Water Monitoring 4.05.13; Surface Water Monitoring 4.05.13; <br />Drainage — Acid and Toxic Materials 4.05.8; Impoundments 4.05.6, 4.05.9; Stream Buffer Zones 4.05.18: <br />The following large ponds (with CDPS discharge points) were inspected: Section 16, Prospect, Gulch A, <br />Streeter, West Taylor, East Taylor, West Pit, Work Area, Rail Loop, and Stoker Siding. The following were <br />discharging: Prospect (very small, through dewatering valve), Streeter, West Taylor, East Taylor, and Stoker <br />Siding. From these discharging ponds, no sign of pollutants was observed. <br />The leak at Prospect Pond has been almost completely eliminated (it is smaller than in previous months). There is <br />a very small amount of water getting through the valve, and this can be seen as wetness on the primary spillway <br />discharge structure. A camera was used to look at the inside of the valve (Kurt Blunt put a video camera down the <br />primary spillway), and the leak was so small it could not be visually detected. This water dries up below the <br />culvert under Highway 13, and it does not reach the flume (the CDPS discharge point). The Division believes that <br />this is only a minor problem now, since the amount of water is extremely small, and effluent limitations have not <br />been exceeded. However, the concern is that the leak could get bigger, and the flow could reach the flume. <br />Colowyo staff will continue to try to eliminate all leaking. <br />Other observations regarding the large ponds: <br />Erosion control wattles were in place below the Work Area Pond; maintenance of these BMPs was done by Kurtis <br />Blunt during the inspection should be continually monitored. No erosion loading was observed below the wattles. <br />No problems were observed with any of the embankments of the ponds, although bare spots are a minor concern at <br />West Taylor and East Taylor. <br />Some emerging vegetation was seen on the Prospect embankment and the Gulch A embankment. <br />The flume below the Stoker Siding Pond needs to be cleared of cattails. <br />Number of Partial Inspection this Fiscal Year: 9 <br />Number of Complete Inspections this Fiscal Year: 4 <br />Page 3 of 12 <br />