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III. COMMENTS - COMPLIANCE <br />Below are comments on the inspection. The comments include discussion of observations made <br />during the inspection. Comments also describe any enforcement actions taken during the <br />inspection and the facts or evidence supporting the enforcement action. <br />This was a complete inspection conducted by Kent Gorham of the Colorado Division of <br />Minerals and Geology. Ron Thompson represented the operator, Picketwire Processing, LLC <br />during the inspection. This former underground mine is permitted to process coal from <br />the nearby Lorencito Coal mine (#C-96-084). Due to economic conditions, the Lorencito <br />Canyon mine has not commenced operations at this time and the New Elk mine remains in <br />temporary cessation until coal is produced. Underground mining ceased at the New Elk <br />mine in the late 1980's and processing of coal from the Golden Eagle mine (#C-81-013) <br />ceased in March of 1996. Activities at the New Elk mine consist mainly of monitoring <br />and maintenance during temporary cessation. The weather was hot and ground conditions <br />continue to be very dry. <br />Availability of Records <br />The public copy of the mine records is kept at the Tri-state Railyard office located <br />along Highway 12 on the west side of Trinidad. Records were inspected at the site and <br />found in compliance as detailed on the attached checklist. <br />Roads <br />Roads at the site were found smooth and well maintained with no ruts or damage. Road <br />ditches and culverts appeared in functional condition. <br />Hydrologic Balance <br />All ponds and containments at the site appeared in good condition. Containments No. 1. <br />2, 3. 4 and 5 were dry. Pond 4, pond 5, pond 6, and the main sediment pond, pond 7, <br />were also dry. Pond 8 (RDA) held water but the water level was 4 feet below the outlet. <br />Dry conditions continue in the region. <br />Sediment control ditches bordering the Purgatoire River appeared in good condition <br />throughout the site. The site is bisected by the river for a distance of two miles as <br />measured on the vehicle trip odometer. <br />Processing Waste <br />The refuse pile drainage was directed to the side drains appropriately. There was no <br />evidence of flow over the reclaimed face of the fill. The 100-year diversion ditch was <br />traversed along its entire length and appeared functional. The pile appeared stable <br />with no sign of slumps or damage. The small seep on the fourth outslope did not appear <br />to be active and was dry. Netting on the fourth outslope has been pulled up in many <br />3 <br />