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November 12, 1996 Pittsburg & Midway Coal Co. P. O. Box 176 Oak Creek, CO 80467 Edna Strip, Sept. 18 & 19, 1996 Phase I Bond Release Inspection Participants: Susan Burgmaier, DMG Larry Routten, DMG Dave Beverlin, P & M Brian Gontarek, P & M Henry AustirS OSM I participated in a Phase I Bond Release inspection which focused on the West Ridge (591 ac. ) and Center Ridge (16.5 ac.) areas of the Edna Mme. The inspection was limited to findings concerning backfilling, grading, and surface water runoff control of the areas noted. Ms. Burgmaier of the Colorado Division of Minerals and Geology (DMG) also conducted a complete inspection of the mine in conjunction with the bond release inspection. Weather conditions were windy and cloudy and ground conditions were basically dry mine wide. The bond release application was hand delivered by DMG to the Office of Surface Mining ( OSM ), Denver Field Division (DFD ), on Sept. 12, 1996, and was reviewed prior to the inspection. The application clearly identifies the proposed release areas and also documents associated reclamation liability (both actual dollars spent and remaining liability for the areas noted ). Minor deviations from the approved postmining topography are also clearly detailed in the application as are appropriate discussions of the backtilling /grading process and reconstruction /location of the drainage system for the areas. We began the inspection 9/18 with the following stops and field observations: The east facing slope of the Center Ridge area which contained the 16.5 ac. area noted above was inspected. The area was marked and we walked it making general observations. The area is stable. The next stop was at the southwest portion of West Ridge where we walked portions of the reclaimed area and made general observations of final slopes (including abney level measurements at generalized final slope locations ), terrace construction, and reconstruction of the West Ridge drainageway. The western most berm at this area is a slight deviation from the approved location but serves to facilitate surface water runoffcontrol and was considered by inspection participants to be appropriate. We noted a small area south and adjacent to the topsoiled area needed additional minor regrading to eliminate scraper fire depressions and this was noted to the operator.