INSPEC14355 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

III. COMMENTS -COMPLIANCE Below are comments on the inspection. The comments include discussion of observations made during the inspection. Comments also describe any enforcement actions taken during the inspection and the facts or evidence supporting the enforcement action. This was a complete inspection of the Meadows No. 1 Mine conducted by Susan Burgmaier and Larry Routten of the Division. Bryan Archer, of Sun Coal Company, and his consultant, Mike Savage, were present during the facilities area inspection. John Eilts, the facilities area landowner, was also present for that part of the inspection. The purpose of the inspection was to document site conditions to assist the Division in issuing a decision on the Phase III bond release request made by Sun Coal Company. The area for which the release has been requested encompasses all areas between US Highway 40 and the shop building. The facilities area was observed and photographed to document the existing condition of all facilities and the immediate area. Of note were: Activities under the direction of Mr. Eilts: Berms around the shop had been graded down to allow access to and from the snowmobile tours trailer. The culvert under the haul road, at the first switchback, had been partially removed, with a large, open trench remaining. A coal seam was exposed as a result of the trenching. That portion of the road was entirely released from Sun Coal's liability in 1988. Small ditches had been cut to allow the spring behind the well house to drain to the Yampa River sedimentation pond. The areas immediately behind (south of) the crusher pit and east of the concrete portion of the reclaim tunnel had been graded. The crusher pit ventilation fan had been partially dismantled. Small chips have been broken off of the concrete portion of the reclaim tunnel. The culvert at the loadout area had been removed, and a ditch remained in its place. All other facilities remained in a similar condition to that of when Sun Coal Company ceased operations. Mr. Eilts was asked whether the condition of the site was acceptable to him, and whether he believed the performance bond should be released. He responded to both questions with approval. At the beginning of the inspection, Mr. Eilts gave the inspectors a letter stating his satisfaction with the reclamation, and that he did not want the Division to impose requirements for trees and/or shrubs on the pit area. At the close of the inspection, however, he presented another letter to the Division stating that he intended to "seek Meadows No. 1 Mine 1 November l6, 1995