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December 11, 2019 C-1981-012/New Elk Mine HBR <br /> Inspection Topic Summary <br /> NOTE: Y=Inspected N=Not Inspected R=Comments Noted V=Violation Issued NA=Not Applicable <br /> N -Air Resource Protection R -Roads <br /> N -Availability of Records Y -Reclamation Success <br /> N -Backfill&Grading Y -Revegetation <br /> R -Excess Spoil and Dev. Waste Y - Subsidence <br /> N -Explosives Y - Slides and Other Damage <br /> N -Fish&Wildlife R - Support Facilities On-site <br /> R -Hydrologic Balance N - Signs and Markers <br /> Y - Gen. Compliance With Mine Plan R - Support Facilities Not On-site <br /> N - Other N - Special Categories Of Mining <br /> R -Processing Waste R - Topsoil <br /> COMMENTS <br /> The New Elk Mine was photographed from an airplane by Harry Ranney of DRMS on December 11, 2019. These <br /> photos were reviewed by Harry Ranney of DRMS on December 17, 2019. The weather was clear but very windy. <br /> EXCESS SPOIL and DEVELOPMENT WASTE—Rule 4.09 <br /> Placement; Drainage Control; Surface Stabilization: <br /> The vegetative cover on the reclaimed waste pile (Development Coal Waste Pile) is excellent, and no rills <br /> can be seen on the sides of this pile. The overall condition of the DWDA#2 remains the same as there has been no <br /> active mining in years. The rills on the road on top of this pile may need some attention prior to spring runoff. The <br /> sump below this pile looks to be functioning well to capture the sediment from the rills.(See Photo) <br /> HYDROLOGIC BALANCE -Rule 4.05 <br /> Drainage Control 4.05.1, 4.05.2, 4.05.3; Siltation Structures 4.05.5, 4.05.6; Discharge Structures 4.05.7, 4.05.10; <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 /> No problems with any ditches around the site were identified. <br /> The following ponds were inspected: Pond 001 A, Pond 004A, Pond 006A, Pond 007A, and Pond 08. All of the <br /> ponds had minor amounts of water,but the water levels in all ponds appeared to be well below their spillways. <br /> Pond 004A was almost dry. No issues were identified with any embankments or spillways.(See Photo) <br /> Containment areas 3, 4, and 5 appear dry and functioning as designed. <br /> An inspection of the banks along the Middle Fork of the Purgatoire River found possible erosion below the dam <br /> approximately 400' east of the truck scale. This matter should be evaluated and addressed as it seems that some <br /> coal waste could erode into the river. (See photo) <br /> Number of Partial Inspection this Fiscal Year: 4 <br /> Number of Complete Inspections this Fiscal Year: 2 <br /> Page 2 of 6 <br />