2016-02-18_REPORT - C1981044 (3)

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No. 9 Portal Area and adjacent Refuse Disposal Area, in May 2009. Reclaimed areas were reseeded with the approved seed mixture that fall, and areas are inspected several times each year for any erosion or sediment transport concerns, invasive noxious weeds, and vegetative reestablishment. An old drill -pad near the 9-P2 Pond which had been reseeded was also inspected and released in 2014. MCM contracted and completed field repair and stabilization of the eroded stream bank in the abutment areas of the railroad bridge over the Williams Fork River during 2011. Minor repair of erosion and rodent holes was also completed for the Pond 5D embankments and the on the Access Road to the Mine No. 5A/6 Portals and water -bars were installed on the old highway between the 7 -North Angle Well and the Mine 5/6 Portals. It was noted that the siphon -tube under the Williams Fork River for the Worthington Ditch was exposed and damaged during the previous year's high spring flows. MCM reviewed options for transmission of flows in this Ditch, however, related repair and maintenance work has been deferred. During 2011-2012, MCM also completed testing and removal of petroleum products, emulsion fluids, and other chemicals and chemicals wastes from the Shop/Warehouse, Multi - Services Building, and exterior storage tanks, and completed EPA compliant closure of the tanks, all using a licensed waste contractor. In 2014, residual sludge was removed from the gasoline storage tank near the Warehouse and transported off-site for disposal by a licensed contractor. hn March 2014, damage to the Multi -Services Building was observed during routine snow -plowing operations. It appeared that someone had accessed the site and stolen copper wiring from the building. The trespass and theft were reported to local law enforcement, who opened an initial investigation. Subsequently, in May 2014, trespassers were encountered on-site during water monitoring activities, local law enforcement authorities were contacted immediately, and the trespassers were apprehended and arrested. The subsequent investigation discovered recent and extensive damage and theft to the Shop/Warehouse Building, the Multi -Services Building, and the upper substation. The trespassers had stripped copper piping and wiring from the buildings and had opened two transformers, allowed the oil to drain -out, and had stripped the transformer windings. The related damage and spills required repairs to the Shop/Warehouse doors in order to secure the building, and removal of the transformer cases and debris and clean-up, testing/profiling, and disposal of the petroleum contaminated soil. MCM has subsequently taken a number of actions to better secure the site, including; placing cement barricades on the west entrance road; removal of several locks from the main gate, and implementation of a limited access program (essentially access only with permission); a call-in/call-out requirement for individuals accessing the site; daily security patrols; and security cameras with a remote feed to our security control room. Onuoing maintenance activities included inspection and clean-out of drainage structures (as needed), and focused weed control activities under our Noxious Weed Management Program. Limited rodent -control activities occurred during 2015. The 2005-2007 control efforts were effective in significantly reducing the ground squirrel population, and while rodents are still observed on the property, population numbers seem to have stabilized. A joint CDRMS/OSMRE inspection in November 2013 identified several site maintenance items requiring attention. Given snow -cover, and that none of the identified items represented any immediate health, safety, or environmental danger, action on these items was deferred until spring when ground conditions were suitable for required access and equipment operations, and were completed during the 2014 field season. In addition, several maintenance items were identified during subsequent CDRMS site inspections. The following specific items were addressed by the 2015 site maintenance activities: • An error in the format for the CDRMS permit number was corrected on 4 mine entrance signs, and three additional signs were ordered and installed • Sediment accumulations were removed from several ditches and culverts • Several rodent holes along roads and in two topsoil piles were filled in • Excess vegetation was removed from several pond spillways and from around pond discharge control structures in 2014. Vegetation removal for the two remaining ponds in the Williams Fork Strip Pit area was completed during the 2015 field season. Spot and area spraying efforts were expanded for noxious weeds in 2011-2012 to address an increase in weed occurrences due to climatic factors, and several areas where weed infestations had been identified and treated before, as well as any new infestations were sprayed during 2013-2015. Spraying was completed by Peabody Environmental Staff, and Reclamation Personnel. Primary targeted weed species included Russian knapweed, hoary cress (white -top), Canadian thistle, and hound's -tongue. Selective herbicide applications utilized Milestone,