INSPEC09399

• Permit No: C1981012
• IBM Index Class Name: Inspection
• Doc Date: 7/8/1997
• Doc Name: OSM INSPECTION REPORT
• Inspection Date: 6/10/1997
• Media Type: D
• Archive: No

A filter fabric fence was in place east of the MWDP's eastern toe along the main mine
access road. A small amount of seepage was observed around the culvert at the
MWDP's southeastern comer. That culvert carries drainage from ditch D4 on the pile's
south side, through a berm, over the mine access road's western ditch, then under the
road to a ditch conveying water to pond 007. The seepage was noted at the culvert's
exit from the berm where it ponded (estimated s 1 gallon). Water was not actively
flowing in the road ditch, which travels 30 feet or so from that point to the Purgatoire
River.
Field measurements were taken to spot heck the MWDP's construction and were
approximate. Slope steepness measurements were as follows: South side of the pile,
20°, 22°, and 22°; west side, 19°; and north side, 21 °. Vertical height of the first lift at
the west end of the pile was about 26 feet. Measurements showed a 10-feet top width
and 1'/a to 1'/.-feet depth for ditch D2 on the south side of the pile and a 9.5-feet top
width and 1.8-feet depth on the pile's north side. These measurements compare to a
designed top width of 10.35 feet and depth of .87 feet. Measurement of ditch D3's
construction on the pile's west side showed a top width of about 7 feet and a depth of
over 1 foot compared to a design width of 7.5 feet and depth of 1 foot. Ditch D4
measured about 11 feet in top width and 1.7 feet deep on the south side of the MWDP.
Trapezoidal cross-sections were maintained in all ditches except a section of ditch D2
on the pile's north side, which had a V-shaped configuration.
The surface of the MWDP's second lift remained operational and was not final graded,
topdressed, or revegetated. No significant ponding on the pile's surtace was noted.
Some erosion of the coal waste material was noted at the northeastern comer of the
second lift but drainage was captured by ditch D2. The outslope of the first lift was top-
dressed and revegetated on the pile's west and north sides. Depth of non-toxic cover
was not checked during this review. The pile's construction and reGamation are not
complete; however, DMG noted that it encourages operators to document depth of
cover placement during waste bank reGamation and cautions them to expect some
verification of cover depth in the absence of such documentation. In cases where
verification reveals less-than required thickness of top dressing, that can mean
additional cover material will be required prior to bond release. Timing of the MWDP's
final reGamation is uncertain at this time due to the mine's temporary cessation of
operations and assumption of the permit by Picketwire Processing.
3. Refuse Disposal Area
The RDA's MSHA identification number is 1211-CO-9-00296-03. The RDA is located a
short distance east of the MWDP on the north side of highway 12. DMG first permitted
it in 1984. Construction began with the underdrain in 1983 and refuse first was placed
on the area in 1984. As noted above for the MWDP, the RDA has been inactive since
the end of the first quarter of 1996, with the exception of maintenance.
Approved design parameters for the RDA inGude: Maximum slope steepness of 2h:1 v
1997 New Elk Special Focus