Laserfiche WebLink
_.: <br />The last USM oversight inspection indicated there were some non-coal waste <br />materials (track Haulage rail, etc.) which needed to be removed from the <br />cornpleted portal backfills. This has been done acccrding to the inspection <br />participants. Sediment pond No. 3 was reclaimed 9/10/93 with Division of <br />Minerals and Geology (DMG) approval. The appropriate demonstrations were <br />made concerning influent water quality and revegetation success according to <br />Mr. Shuey. These demonstrations were not reviewed during the inspection. The <br />.eclaimed pond area was topsoiled, seeded, mulched and netted to secure the <br />mulch and looked very stable. <br />We discussed tl~e partial highwall backfilling and approved approximate original <br />contour (AOC) variance found in the permittees Proposed Decision Document <br />dated 11/20/92. Discussion of the AOC variance can be found on page 33 of <br />the Decision Document, Operations on Stems Stoves, and by reference on page <br />23, Backfilling and Grading. TF~is approved variance does not appear to be in <br />accordance with DMG's currently approved Program Rules in that the current <br />rules do not allow partial backfilling of highwalls on continuous use operations. <br />CMG's Regulatory Program AmendmEnt(s), which were published for approval <br />in the Federal Register dated 1/19/94, should address the issues of partial <br />hi;;hwall retention and/or AOC variances for continuous use operations upon <br />enactment of the Rules by the State of Colorado. Once these Rules become <br />effective, they should be applied to the reclamation configurations of the Bea: <br />Mines No. 1 & 2 and the decision document and relevant approved permit <br />sections should be modified to reflect compliance with the new Rules. This <br />:oncluded the inspection. <br />Please address any questions concerning this report to Henry Austin at (505) <br />ass-1aas. <br />