INSPEC04261

• Permit No: C1981044
• IBM Index Class Name: Inspection
• Doc Name: OSM Inspection Report
• Inspection Date: 11/18/2004
• Media Type: D
• Archive: No

BTU Empire, Eagle 5 Mine, p~. 2
Janet Binns and Dan Hernandez made introductions of inspection participants, and
briefed the group regarding the bond release application, inspection objectives, specific
acreages to be evaluated, and inspection plan to inspect all the surface acreage proposed
for release. BTU &DMG representatives provided geo]ogic x-sections, affected area and
surface land ownership maps, other maps of the proposed release acreage, and briefed the
group using these maps.
DMG began the bond release inspection by walking and inspecting the railroad line and
ROW through the permit and affected area (the Colowyo Mine representative
participated in this inspection primarily because Kennecott Energy owns and controls the
railroad spur through the Eagle Mines permit area). We made general observations, and I
took photographs (I took 4 rolls, total for both days, of 35mm prints which I will provide
to DMG). We did not identify any surface subsidence features on or along the railroad
line or ROW.
From the southern end of our inspection walk, along where the railroad line leaves the
permit area, we made stops and observations at the following: (I took photos at all stops
and potential subsidence features. On Nov. 18, Rocky Thompson and Brad Barker took
GPS coordinates of features, and on Nov. 19 Mr. Barker and I took GPS coordinates of
features. During the inspection I discussed with Mr. Barker OSM's oversight role,
various definitions including affected area, and surface coal mining mad reclamation
operations; and mitigation, or recommending no mitigation, for surface effects of
subsidence.)
East of the railroad line we inspected what appeared to be one area where subsidence
effects were graded and repaired, a west facing slope in sagebrush; and another area
closest to the railroad line where it also appears grading has occurred in the past to
stabilize a land movement or slump. There is sparse vegetative cover and some erosion
on bare soil areas adjacent to the railroad, and on south facing slopes around this area.
I did not walk the entire area closest to the railroad. The repaired west facing slope area
in the sagebrush is well vegetated and appeared stable.
We inspected several small sinkholes-animal burrows /one sandstone outcrop crack /and
"several small parallel troughs" typical of surface subsidence, just north of the former air
monitoring tower location. These features were parallel to each other in places, and
singular in others. First stop /sinkhole north of the tower is at N 40 26 02 W I07 39 10
at 6,330 ft.; and short troughs and sinkholes appear at two hundred to five hundred feet
north and west of this first stop.