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2017-08-07_INSPECTION - C1981019
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2017-08-07_INSPECTION - C1981019
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Last modified
8/8/2017 9:24:18 AM
Creation date
8/8/2017 6:25:37 AM
Metadata
Fields
Template:
DRMS Permit Index
Permit No
C1981019
IBM Index Class Name
Inspection
Doc Date
8/7/2017
Doc Name
Inspection Report
From
DRMS
To
Colowyo Coal Company LP
Inspection Date
8/1/2017
Email Name
JHB
JRS
Media Type
D
Archive
No
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August 1, 2017 C-1981-019/Colowyo Coal Mine JHB <br /> <br /> <br />Number of Partial Inspection this Fiscal Year: 2 <br />Number of Complete Inspections this Fiscal Year: 0 <br /> Page 3 of 7 <br /> <br />crew was conducting both interim vegetation monitoring on the reclaimed areas, and collecting data for Phase II <br />and Phase III bond release. We did not meet up with the crew while they were collecting data on the reclaimed <br />areas. Sample methodology for sample collection on the mountain shrub reference area was in agreement with the <br />methodology described in the permit (Section 4.15). The consultant, Cedar Creek Associates, used a 10-point <br />laser point bar to collect cover data. Production data was collected by lifeform by clipping live vegetative biomass <br />within a 1/2 Meter2 frame. Cedar Creek collects the production data for noxious species too. No concerns were <br />noted upon observation and querying the sampling crew. <br /> <br />The top of reclaimed West Pit Fill is extremely flat and windswept. CCC has been challenged to get a good <br />vegetation established on top of this fill. The Division has previously and continues to advocate for serious <br />roughening of the top of this fill to create microsites to slow the wind speed at the soil surface. CCC made a small <br />effort by cutting a 6” high furrow into the surface of the top of the fill. This furrow was too small to have much <br />effect and was one long continuous furrow. The Division has seen successful roughening implemented with a <br />backhoe bucket creating pockets 18” to 24” deep or more. The Division anticipates that this area will continue to <br />be troublesome for CCC to establish appropriate vegetation unless a different approach is implemented. <br /> <br />Parcel EP056 was seeded in 2011. The vegetation in this parcel is still dominated by annual mustards and annual <br />grasses. The Division believes that CCC will need to conduct some additional inter-seeding or other efforts to <br />improve the stand in this parcel. <br /> <br />REVEGETATION – Rule 4.15 <br />Vegetative Cover; Timing: <br /> The inspector visited parcel 16016 in Section 16. This parcel is included in SL12. During the SL12 <br />inspection, the Division observed that a 1.3 acre portion of this parcel had a higher concentration of Cheatgrass <br />than other portions of the parcel. As one of the Division’s vegetation specialists, I was asked to evaluate this <br />portion of the 16016 parcel. The entire parcel 16016 consists of 22.7 acres. The portion of the parcel that has a <br />higher percentage of Cheatgrass was mapped by DRMS inspector as approximately 1.3 acres. The overall area <br />requested for Phase III bond release with SL12 is 182.5 acres. The 1.3 acres exhibiting more than expected <br />Cheatgrass amounts to less than 1% (0.71%) of the total bond release block. Further evaluation of this affected <br />area finds Poa sp. (Kentucky bluegrass) has dried up and on first glance may be mistaken for Cheatgrass. Looking <br />under the dried biomass, there are numerous desirable grass species under the dried grass canopy. There are <br />sporadic woody plants, mainly Big sagebrush, in this area. Some of the perennial grass species noted during the <br />walk through of the 1.3 acre area included: Festuca ovina, Thinopyrum intermedium, Elymus lanceolatus, and <br />Pascopyrum smithii. Cheatgrass does not appear to be invading into neighboring areas from the affected area, <br />instead it appears that Thinopyrum and Elymus species are invading into this area from the east. The Division <br />considers this area to be small, and contains desirable perennial seeded species as well. <br /> <br />There were musk thistle present in this and surrounding areas. Evidence of ATV tracks and chemical take up by <br />some of the individual plants provided evidence that the operator had sprayed this area as part of their approved <br />weed management plan. <br /> <br />A weed spraying crew was actively spraying on the west side of the East Pit reclamation during the inspection. <br />
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