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Colowyo C-1981-019 <br />26 A ril 2~_ 00_,~~ <br />Pg 5/5 ~~ ~2/ <br />Fish and Wildlife: -There were several deer on the Section 16 Pit reclamation. <br />- There was a herd of approximately 100 elk on the East Pit reclamation on both 26 <br />and 27 April 2006. There were also several (about b-8) antelope on the reclamation <br />in approximately the same location. <br />Revegetation/Reclamation Success: -The Section 16 Pit reclamation appeared to be <br />stable at the time of the inspection. There were no erosional problems noted on the <br />reclamation and the area is very well vegetated. <br />- The areas of the East Pit reclamation that have been Phase II bond released were <br />all well vegetated and stable at the time of the inspection. No erosional problems <br />were noted on these areas. <br />- The areas of the East Pit where topsoil was replaced and the areas were reseeded <br />last fall area all doing well. The vegetation is beginning to grow and the areas all <br />remain stable. No erosional problems were noted on any of these areas. <br />-The area that was burned by the coal-shot fire last year looks very good. The <br />vegetation does not appear to be damaged. In fact, this appears to be some of the <br />best vegetation in the East Pit. This area remains stable and there were no erosional <br />problems noted. <br />Air Resource Protection: -The haul roads were dry and the haul trucks were causing <br />some dust but the operator was continually watering the roads at the time of the <br />inspection. There was not a problem with fugitive dust. <br />-The coal stacking operations at the Gossard Loadout were causing a minimal <br />amount of fugitive dust at the time of the inspection. <br />Excess Spoil: -The reclaimed portions of the West Pit spoil pile were well vegetated <br />and appeared to be stable at the time of the inspection. Runoff from this portion of <br />the pile goes into the West Pit pond. No erosional problems were noted of the pile at <br />the time of the inspection. The upper portion of the pile is truck-dumped spoil. This <br />part of the pile appeared to be stable at the time of the inspection. The reclamation <br />plan calls for the top 75 feet of this pile to be hauled to the West Pit to achieve AOC. <br />This is being further addressed in Technical Revision 63. Apart of the unreclaimed <br />upper portion of the pile is being used as a storage and work area for mainly the <br />electric cable for the draglines and shovels. The operator indicated that they would <br />begin removing the upper portion of the pile this summer and complete some of the <br />West Pit reclamation north edge of the West Pit). <br />-Streeter fill was well vegetated and appeared to be stable at the time of the <br />inspection. No erosional problems were noted on the fill. This pile has gone through <br />a Phase II bond release. The Streeter pond below, however, still receives runoff from <br />disturbed areas. <br />Overall, the operations and reclamation at the Colowyo Mine are being conducted <br />in accordance with the approved plans contained within the PAP. The operation is <br />doing a good job ensuring compliance with all of the Rules. <br />