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June 21, 2016 C-2010-089/New Horizon North Mine BFB <br /> <br /> <br />Number of Partial Inspection this Fiscal Year: 8 <br />Number of Complete Inspections this Fiscal Year: 4 <br /> <br /> Page 3 of 4 <br /> <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 /> Pond 002 contained a small amount of water in the north end but was not discharging (photo 1). The <br />north ditch of pond 002 was free and clear of obstructions. <br /> <br />Tri-State is proposing to install a haul road crossing through Meehan Draw. The proposal is i ncluded in PR-1 <br />which is currently being reviewed. The area of the proposed crossing was inspected and compared to the proposed <br />map. <br /> <br />RECLAMATION SUCCESS - Rule 4.15, Rule 3: <br /> The hay on the irrigated pasture reference area was baled the day before this inspection (photo 2). The <br />bales were removed the afternoon of the inspection. <br /> <br />The currently approved dryland reference area at the Nucla Airport appeared to have been mowed (photo 3). Tri- <br />State recently submitted a technical revision (TR-14) to move the dryland reference area to the former Peabody <br />reference area. TR-14 is currently under review by the Division. The Peabody reference area is an undisturbed <br />area between the NH1 mine and the NH2 mine and consists of a mature plant community (photo 4). The soil <br />appeared to be stable with no signs of erosion. The area was fenced and there were no signs of cattle grazing. <br /> <br />A few knapweed plants were seen by the proposed Peabody dryland pasture reference area and the airport <br />reference area. Knapweed is a Colorado listed noxious weed. Although both areas where the knapweed was <br />spotted is technically outside the permit area, the Division suggests controlling the knapweed before it migrates <br />onto the reference areas. <br /> <br />Some whitetop (Cardaria draba) was growing on the south slope of Meehan Draw. Whitetop is a Colorado listed <br />noxious weed and needs to be treated. New Horizon North personnel have recently treated the area for whitetop as <br />evident by many dead plants but some new shoots have sprouted. <br /> <br />SUPPORT FACILITIES - Rule 4.04: <br /> A structure inventory was completed to verify the structures listed in Table 2.05.3(3)-1 of the permit. All <br />the structures listed in the table were accounted for except the tire change pad, which was not built. The tire <br />change pad is being removed from the permit in PR-1 which is currently being reviewed by the Division. <br /> <br />The dimensions of the structures were measured to verify those listed in Table 2.05.3(3)-1. All the structure <br />dimensions were equal to or smaller than listed in the table. <br /> <br />SIGNS AND MARKERS – Rule 4.02: <br /> The permit boundary signs were in place around the perimeter of the mine. <br /> <br />Two stream buffer zone signs on the north side of Meehan draw were measured. One sign was at 103 feet and the <br />other was 179 feet. No mine related disturbance has taken place north of Meehan draw. <br />