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August 25, 2015 X-2012-223-11/2012 NOI -Oak Mesa Area JDM
<br />Inspection Topic Summary
<br />NOTE: Y=Inspected N=Not Inspected R=Comments Noted V=Violation Issued NA Not Applicable
<br />N - Air Resource Protection N - Roads
<br />N - Backfill & Grading R - Reclamation Success
<br />N - Fish & Wildlife N - Revegetation
<br />N - Hydrologic Balance N - Slides and Other Damage
<br />N - Gen. Compliance With Mine Plan N - Signs and Markers
<br />N - Other N - Topsoil
<br />COMMENTS
<br />This was a coal exploration bond release inspection conducted by Jason Musick of the Division of Reclamation,
<br />Mining, and Safety (Division). A request for full bond release was received by the Division on 29 July 2015. This
<br />full bond release inspection included the inspection of 24 sites which have been drilled, abandoned, and reclaimed.
<br />Jim Kiger and Doug Smith, representatives for New Elk Coal Company, accompanied the on the ground inspection.
<br />Desty Dyer and Barney Buria of the Baureu of Land Management accompanied the inspection. Land owner Nick
<br />Hughes also accompanied the inspection. The weather was clear and the ground was dry during the on the ground
<br />inspection of the site.
<br />RECLAMATION SUCCESS - Rule 2.02(g) and 4212(2):
<br />All sites inspected were in either the second or third growing season based on the date of initial seeding of the
<br />associated pads and access roads. A number of the sites inspected displayed adequate vegetation with little to no
<br />noxious or invasive vegetation observed. No evidence of instability or erosion was observed during the on the
<br />ground inspection of any of the sites requested for bond release. All holes were sealed and abandoned. Markers
<br />were located at all of the permitted and approved holes in the form of T -posts with a brass tag. Examples of
<br />reclaimed sites are identified in the photos below. Of the 44 drill sites requested, 43 sites were approved and 24
<br />sites were constructed and drilled. The status of all requested exploration sites are identified below.
<br />The following sites were bonded, but not constructed or drilled and are eligible for full release of reclamation
<br />liability:
<br />OM -02, OM -10, OM -14, OM -15R, OM -19, OM -20, OM -21R, OM -22, OM -25, OM -28, OM -33, OM -36, OM -37,
<br />OM -38, OM -39, OM -40, OM -41, OM -42, and OM44
<br />The following sites were drilled, abandoned, and reclaimed. All sites noted below were marked with a t -post and
<br />brass tag. Sites were stable with no evidence of erosion or potential for future erosion. Sites displayed adequate
<br />vegetation cover to prevent erosion with diverse species with less than 3% noxious or invasive vegetation growth
<br />making up the total vegetative cover.
<br />OM -13-23R, OM -13-29, OM -13-05, OM -13-24, OM -12-43, OM -13-08, OM -13-03R, OM -13-04R, OM -13-06,
<br />OM -12-16, OM -13-26, OM -12-11R, OM -12-07R, OM -13-12, OM -12-34, OM -12-17, and OM -12-09.
<br />The following sites were drilled, abandoned, and reclaimed. All sites below were marked with a t -post and brass
<br />tag. Sites were stable with no evidence of erosion. Due to the issues noted below, the following sites have not been
<br />adequately reclaimed per Rule 421.4(6)(b).
<br />Number of Partial Inspection this Fiscal Year: 0
<br />Number of Complete Inspections this Fiscal Year: 0
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