2019-02-15_REPORT - C1981044 - Laserfiche WebLink

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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. A joint CDRMS/OSMRE inspection on 05/17/17 resulted in no additional maintenance items. In addition, several maintenance items were identified during subsequent CDRMS site inspections. The following specific items were addressed by the 2017 site maintenance activities: • Installed additional buffer -zone signs along the Williams Fork River in areas where there is potential for disturbance associated with site demolition/reclamation activities • Potable water well (artesian) was leaking, so contractor was hired to place a temporary plug and to replace well cap and valve In early 2018, MCM reviewed the existing CDPHE-APCD air emissions permits and noted that the existing permits for the most part address emission sources that have not been active for many years or which no long exist. MCM subsequently contacted the APCD to determine what would be appropriate relative to an air emission permit(s) for the current and anticipated future activities. As a result of APCD review and follow-up discussions, MCM applied for and received approval of a general development permit for current and ongoing demolition and reclamation activities, and subsequently cancelled the existing non -applicable permits. As part of the APCD review and approval process, the APCD conducted an air emissions site inspection. 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 2013-2017. In 2018, limited spraying was completed by the site agricultural leasee. Primary targeted weed species included Russian knapweed, hoary cress (white -top), Canadian thistle, and hound's -tongue. Selective herbicide applications utilized Roundup, Ammonium Sulfate, Intense, Liberate, Escort, and Activator 90. Spot or aerial spraying was conducted in May and October, and covered a total of approximately 20 acres. The agricultural leasee also treated, plowed, and planted previously farmed areas to the east of the 5A/6 Portal Area as part of an ongoing program to improve the condition and productivity of rangelands within the Permit Area. The agricultural leasee did not provide spray logs for his on-site work. Areas treated included, but were not limited to: - Roadsides (main entry road, roads on the plateau area north and west of the road leading to the 7 -North Angle Well, and portions of the main entry roads in both the east and west mine facilities areas) - The open meadow to the north of the reclaimed Mine No. 4 portals - The farm fields to the east of the 5A/6 portals - Mine substations (Glystar) During third-quarter 2016, in preparation for a planned bond -release submittal, site conditions for the Utah Tract were assessed through an on -the -ground site reconnaissance. No excessive rills or gullies were observed, and vegetative reestablishment looked to be very good. Previously, during a CDRMS site inspection in 2014, it was noted that permit area boundaries for the Utah Tract were not clearly marked and there were some areas where the delineation between the Utah Tract and the adjacent Trapper Mine reclamation was not clear. Former Peabody Employee and Registered Land Surveyor, Joe Shoemaker, was hired during the summer of 2014 to check and verify the locations of permit boundary markers, correct any errors, and add additional markers, as appropriate. A subsequent CDRMS inspection of the area confirmed that the appropriate markers were in-place and accurate. Land Management and Bond Release In order to address practical funding limitations relative to ongoing site maintenance, and with the objective of enhancing the condition of selected rangelands within the Permit Area (undisturbed - Williams Fork bottom, the plateau area south of the 7 -North Angle Well, and the hillside to the east and south of the old highway, and in the future, bond release areas), MCM contracted with a local rancher (Jake Timmer). The Agricultural Use Agreement addresses ongoing weed and rodent control, tillage, and selective seeding and harvest of beneficial nitrogen -fixing and grain crops, in return for the revenues from the resulting grain and hay crops and the ability to use the selected areas for limited late -season grazing. These activities were initiated in 2015, continued through 2017, and will