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Colowyo C-1981-019 19 January 2006~j Pg 2/2 Hydrologic Balance (cont): -The Rail Loop Pond (NPDES OObA) was inaccessible at the time of the inspection due to a train being loaded. Backfilling and Grading: -The operator continues to finish the regrading work at the south east portion of the East Pit. The operator is recontouring this area, pulling spoil up from the bottom of the ridge and grading it to its final, approved topography. - Work on the backfilling of the last cut of the East Pit has stopped. The area has been made ready for the return of the Highwall miner some time this spring or early summer. - The Operator is currently also working on preparing an area for the highwall miner in the original West Pit box cut -Section 4 area (the TR-60 area). This spoil is being hauled and dumped in the mined-out West Pit area. - It appears that the operator is performing contemporaneous reclamation, as required. Support Facilities: -The facilities area was in good condition at the time of the inspection. No problems were noted with the area. -The Gossard Loadout was also in good condition at the time of the inspection. The coal stockpile is almost gone, as the operator has been shipping a lot of coal over the past few months. Tay indicated that they were trying to rebuild the stockpile. Topsoil: -All of the topsoil piles observed were well vegetated and stable. No erosional problems were noted on any of the piles. All of the piles had topsoil signs in place. Fish and Wildlife: -Approximately 30 elk were along the light-use road between sump 5 and the West Pit pond. -There were several dozen mule deer observed between the West Pit pond and the East Taylor pond. Excess Spoil: -The West Pit spoil pile was covered with snow but appeared to be stable at the time of the inspection. There were no signs of cracking or settling in the fill. No erosional problems were noted. The lower portion of the pile has been reclaimed and is well vegetated and stable. The upper portion of the pile is truck- dumped spoil. The reclamation plan calls for the top 75 feet of this pile to be hauled to the West Pit to achieve AOC. Overall, the operations and reclamation at the Colowyo Mine are being conducted in accordance with the approved plans contained within the PAP. The operation is doing a good job ensuring compliance with all of the Rules.