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III. COMMENTS -COMPLIANCE <br />Below are comments on the inspection. The comments include discussion of observations made during the <br />inspection. Comments also describe any enforcement actions taken during the inspection and the facts or evidence <br />supporting the enforcement action. <br />This partial inspection of the New Horizons Coal Mine was conducted by DMG staff from the <br />DMG Durango Office, 701 Camino del Rio, Room 125, Durango, CO 81301, phone (970) <br />247-5469. <br />Mining and reclamation activities were active. The active pit was oriented in a north-south <br />direction, advancing to the west. Reclamation backfilling, grading and topsoil replacement <br />appeared current. Side-roll irrigation equipment was active on reclaimed and revegetated <br />areas. <br />Pit water is routed to Pond 7 for treatment prior to discharge. Pond 7 also receives drainage <br />from reclaimed and irrigated areas. Pond 7 was discharging, approximately 4 inch depth <br />through the 90 degree V-notch discharge structure. Pond embankment and inslopes <br />appeared stable. Several waterfowl were observed at Pond 7. <br />Operator's weed control methods for Canada thistle and Russian knapweed at the Pond 7 <br />discharge structure continues to exhibit success. Evidence of the thistle and knapweed <br />infestation, previously noted in the reports generated from the June and July 2000 <br />inspections, was not observed. <br />Pond 8 receives drainage from reclaimed and irrigated areas. Pond 8 was discharging <br />approximately 2 inch depth through its CMP discharge structure. Numerous fry were <br />observed swimming in the discharged pond water. <br />Pond 9 was observed from the north end of the active pit area. Pond 9 appeared dry. <br />