2016-06-15_INSPECTION - C1981012

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June 7, 2016 C-1981-012/New Elk Mine RDZ Number of Partial Inspection this Fiscal Year: 10 Number of Complete Inspections this Fiscal Year: 4 Page 5 of 19 The undisturbed area below the eastern part of ditch D55 (the large clear water diversion above the RDA) is stable. No issues were identified with the ditches and culverts near the Bates Portal. No problems were identified with Containment Area #1 (except small number of weeds) or Containment Area #2, which was holding a small amount of water. Containment Area #5 was holding a significant amount of turbid water, but there was no sign of discharge toward State Highway 12. A v-notch weir has been installed below the SAE near Pond 007A. This was a requirement of the Water Quality Control Division of CDPHE. GENERAL MINE PLAN COMPLIANCE: The bank between the Middle Fork of the Purgatoire River and DWDA#2 is bare but not eroding. Map 15 of the PAP appears to show that this area is part of the New Elk Mine disturbance. If this area is not part of the New Elk disturbance then Map 15 (and other maps) may need to be updated. If it is part of the New Elk disturbance, the area should be revegetated to prevent future erosion. A related matter is reclamation of the DWDA#2; Louis Head of NECC has stated that they are considering the performance of this work in the near future (2016 or 2017). At most locations within the mine permit boundary, the banks of the Middle Fork of the Purgatoire River are well vegetated and are not eroding. PROCESSING WASTE/COAL MINE WASTE PILES – Rule 4.10 and 4.11 Drainage Control; Surface Stabilization; Placement: The upper RDA (un-reclaimed portion) is mostly graded to avoid ponding or erosion problems, although small puddles were seen, and small piles of material need to be graded. These minor issues should be addressed in the summer of 2016. Runoff from the upper RDA flows through ditches and sumps and eventually to Pond 08; it does not appear to flow directly onto the reclaimed portion of the RDA as the ditch at the interface (between reclaimed and un- reclaimed areas) appears to be functioning. This ditch is very important and should be re-defined (cut deeper) during the 2016 maintenance season. The straw wattles at the interface are not trenched in well, but if the ditch above is maintained, these wattles will suffice in their current condition. The sumps are functioning, but the new one on the east side needed to be cleaned during the inspection. No significant erosion was seen on the face of the lower RDA (reclaimed portion) or in the side ditches. A small rill near the interface with the un-reclaimed area (noted in March inspection report) appears to be healing. Other rills are very small. Also, no large bare areas or other problems were seen, and the vegetation cover looks good.