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June l4, 1999 <br />Colowyo Coal Company L. P. <br />5731 State Hwy. 13 <br />Meeker, CO 81641 <br />Colowyo Mine <br />Special focus mine site evaluation <br />June 10, 1999 <br />Participants: <br />Jim I{iger, Colowyo Mine <br />Byron Walker, Colorado Division of Minerals and Geology (DMG) <br />Henry Austin, Office of Surface Mining (OSM) <br />I participated in a partial, special focus, mine site evaluation of the Colowyo Mine with the above <br />participants. The partial inspection focused on evaluations of the mine haulroad with respect to <br />surface water runoff control; and topsoil removal, storage, and redistribution. Weather conditions <br />were mild and partly cloudy with widely scattered afternoon thunderstorms. Ground conditions <br />were dry throughout the mine site azeas inspected. We also reviewed current permitting records <br />at the Moffatt County Courthouse as part of a special focus evaluation of the public availability <br />of permitting records. <br />We began on June 10, 1999, by reviewing current permitting actions for the Colowyo Mine <br />required to be on file at the Moffatt County Courthouse in Craig, CO. We found the three <br />permitting actions Mr. Walker indicated should currently be on file. They included: TR No. 48, <br />Postmining Topography Change, MR No. 51, Construction of Three Additional Stockponds, and <br />a Notice of Intent (NOI) to explore for coal reserves. The NOI was outside the scope of the <br />special focus evaluation but Mr. Walker decided to check on it while we were at the courthouse. <br />The two current permitting actions required to be on file were available as noted above, as were <br />several other recent permitting actions for the mine. <br />We began the mine site evaluation by examining the haulroad and associated disturbed azeas and <br />drainage ways. The haulroad is paved from [he mine facilities area [o the loadout, which of <br />course provides a durable, low maintenance surface for the road. Haul roads in the active mine <br />areas above the mine facilities report to the mine sedimentation pond system or the active mine <br />pits. The paved haulroad below the facilities contains ditches, MSHA required safety berms, and <br />drainage outlets, which in combination serve to control surface water runoff from the road. The <br />MSHA required berms aze well vegetated and stable, and all ditches along the haulroad were well <br />maintained. There are outlets through the safety berms at topographic lows and other convenient <br />locations which facilitate surface water draining off the road way. There are also cmp culverts <br />under the haulroad where necessary to assist in controlling surface water runoff. <br />