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Mine Site Inspection <br />Mine Name: Colowyo Mine <br />Permittee: Tri-State Generation and Transmission Association, Inc. <br />Permit ID#: C-1981-019 <br />Inspection Date: May 23, 2018 9:00 3:00 <br />Inspection Type: Partial Phase I Bond Release (SL -13) <br />Weather Conditions: Warm (70's), dry ground, building clouds and light afternoon rain <br />Participants: <br />Angela Aalbers, Tri-State Generation and Transmission Association, Inc. (Tri-State) <br />Christine Beika, Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement (OSMRE) #182 <br />Kurt Blunt, Tri-State <br />Zach Trujillo, Colorado Division of Reclamation, Mining and Safety (DRMS) <br />The Colowyo Mine is an active, producing, surface coal mine. The permit area is located approximately <br />28 miles south of Craig, Colorado. Tri-State Generation and Transmission Association, Inc. requested <br />Phase I bond release for 103.1 acres under its SL -13 application. Land surface and mineral estates are a <br />combination of federal, state, and private ownership. The subject areas are within the West Pit, East Pit, <br />South Taylor Pit, and areas adjacent to the Collom and Gossard Loadout facilities. All nominated areas <br />were backfilled and regraded in 2016 and 2017. Topsoil has been spread and seeded on most but not all <br />parcels (this is not a requirement for Phase I bond release). <br />The phased bond release process is outlined at Colorado Rule 3.03.1(2). At Phase 1, up to 60 percent of <br />the bond may be released for an area when the permittee successfully completes backfilling, regrading, <br />and drainage control in accordance with the approved reclamation plan. <br />Reclamation Success: <br />The firebreak cut west of the West Taylor Tributary Ditch is stable and vegetation is establishing well <br />throughout the area. This 1.4 -acre area (denoted as "ST005" in the bond release application) was not <br />excavated for mining purposes; vegetation was cleared to prevent the spread of wildfire. This parcel does <br />not present any concerns regarding Phase I responsibilities of backfilling, grading, and establishing <br />drainage control. <br />The former location of the Meeker Topsoil Stockpile and associated road (EP060) have been graded, <br />topsoiled, and seeded. Vegetation is just beginning to emerge for the spring. This 4.6 -acre parcel was not <br />excavated for coal removal. The stockpile has been removed and the road reclaimed. The current surface <br />topography closely approximates the pre -mine condition and blends well with surrounding topography. <br />The West Pit 97 -acre parcel (WP024) has been backilled, regraded, and partially topsoiled and seeded. <br />Tri-State intends to spread topsoil and seed the remaining area this fall (not a requirement for Phase 1 <br />bond release). Two large permanent drainage channels divide the parcel. These channels are not proposed <br />for release; however, they do provide drainage control for the regraded area as required for Phase I. Piles <br />of large rocks placed at various locations throughout the parcel provide small animal habitat and raptor <br />perches. Vegetation is establishing on the topsoiled and seeded portion of this block. All areas are <br />currently stable with no signs of erosion and blend well with surrounding topography. <br />The 0.5 -acre emergency road (WP022) cut to repair a broken power pole is stable and well -vegetated. <br />This area was not excavated for coal removal. Topsoil has been replaced and the surface topography <br />matches the pre -mine configuration. <br />Page I l <br />