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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 inspection <br />and the facts or evidence supporting the enforcement action. <br />This was a partial inspection of the Yoast Mine conducted on May 25, 2004 by Mike Boulay and <br />Byron Walker of the DMG. Roy Kazo of Seneca Coal Company was present during the entire <br />inspection. Weather conditions were cloudy and cool. Ground conditions were mostly dry at the <br />site. For the first time, the DMG observed the Highwall Miner operating in the Yoast South area. <br />HydroloQic Balance <br />As noted in previous inspection reports (dated March-April, 2004) runoff from Post Mine <br />Channel YPM-10 exited the channel and caused rills and gullies to form neaz the lower end of <br />the channel. SCC has initiated work at this location to repair the erosion. To ensure compliance, <br />please complete the repairs at the Post Mine Channel YPM-10. <br />The Armand Draw road crossing was inspected. Some rills have formed on the out slope above <br />the dischazge end of Culvert YB-6. Culvert YB-6 is approximately 1/3 full of sediment on the <br />dischazge end and should be cleaned out. There is also some erosion occurring below the outfall <br />of Culvert EX4. This location had previously been armored with riprap, but a gully is now <br />forming and some of the riprap has washed away. To ensure compliance, please repair the rills <br />on the slope above Culvert YB-6, clean the sediment from YB-6 so that the full culvert capacity <br />is maintained, and repair the erosion and re-armor the outfall below Culvert EX4. <br />Backfill & Gradine, Topsoil, and Reve etg ation <br />The azea designated for backfill and grading in 2001-2002 as shown on the Exhibit 19-1A was <br />inspected. This is the location of pending Cessation Order CO-2003-012. The re-graded azea <br />appears stable with no significant erosion noted at the time of this inspection. Topsoil <br />redistribution and seeding remains to be completed at the 2001-2002 azea. A scraper was <br />working to replace topsoil at the time of the inspection. Slopes were measured in the mid to <br />upper slope region of the re-graded 2001-2002 polygon area. Slopes ranged from approximately <br />11 to 20 degrees. Although the area is steep there does not appeaz to be any movement or slides <br />on the re-graded 2001-2002 polygon area. <br />A significant crack has developed in the 2003 vaziance area. This is the location of the former <br />highwall towazds the western end of the Valora Pit. This area is very steep with slopes measured <br />during this inspection up to 31 degrees. The Division recommends that with the pending <br />Technical Revision No. 25 (TR-25), that SCC reconsider the post mine topography at this <br />location. The Division recommends that slopes be re-graded to no greater than 20 degrees at this <br />location prior to placement of topsoil. This change to the post mine topography could be updated <br />and incorporated into the PAP via the pending TR-25. In the interim the crack should be <br />