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July 28, 2015 C-1981-019/Colowyo Coal Mine RDZ <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 />No problems were observed with the Sturgeon Road. <br />RECLAMATION SUCCESS - Rule 4.15, Rule 3: <br />Weeds were seen in many areas around the mine, especially thistles and cheat grass. A weed management <br />contractor (Chemical Weed Control) continues to address this. Evidence of spraying was seen in many areas (e.g., <br />white top near Sump 2 along Taylor Creek). <br />The south end of the East Pit reclamation was inspected (including both sides of the Final East Pit Ditch). The <br />vegetation was excellent, no significant erosion or other problems were seen, and contour ditches appeared to be <br />intact. A large amount of cheat grass and some thistle were seen. Rill repairs are still needed south of the Final <br />East Pit Ditch. The immediate area around the seep is devoid of vegetation, likely due to elk traffic. <br />West Pit reclamation was inspected from afar (ridge to west and spoil piles to south), and no erosion or other <br />issues were identified. <br />REVEGETATION — Rule 4.15 <br />Vegetative Cover; Timing: <br />Two vegetation reference areas were inspected: the mountain shrub area northwest of the old "ski jump" <br />and the sagebrush area north of the facilities area. Both areas are in good shape with no large bare spots or erosion <br />and no weed patches. Neither appears to be marked well. The dominant vegetation in the mountain shrub area <br />includes sage, oak brush, serviceberry, snowberry, smooth brome, western wheatgrass, and other grasses. A small <br />amount of cheat grass was seen in the mountain shrub area. The dominant vegetation in the sagebrush area <br />includes sage, snowberry, smooth brome, western wheatgrass, and cheat grass. <br />SIGNS AND MARKERS — Rule 4.02: <br />Signs were observed marking the buffer zone along Taylor Creek; no issues were identified. <br />SPECIAL CATEGORIES OF MINING — Rules 4.22 through 4.27: <br />The highwall miner was producing coal along the eastern wall; it has advanced to nearly the north end of <br />the pit. <br />TOPSOIL — Rule 4.06 <br />Removal 4.06.2; Substitute Materials 4.06.4(4); Storage and Protection 4.06.3; Redistribution 4.06.4: <br />The following topsoil stockpiles were inspected, and no problems were observed: 16A and the pile by the <br />Section 28 Pond. While 16A is well vegetated, much of it is cheat grass and some thistle plants were seen. <br />Number of Partial Inspection this Fiscal Year: 1 <br />Number of Complete Inspections this Fiscal Year: 0 <br />Page 4 of 8 <br />