INSPEC16008 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

tlt. COMMENTS -COMPLIANCE Below are comments on the Inspection. The comments include discussion of observafions 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 partial inspection of the Seneca II mine site. The weather was clear and warm. Roy Karo accompanied me on the entire inspection. Seneca Coal Company is expecting to submit a Phase I bond release application early next year that will cover the entire mine site including pre-, interim and post-law reclamation as determined by the date the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act passed, August 3, 1977. As part of this inspection we looked at some of the pre-law and interim reclaimed lands in the northern part of the permit area. From what I could see from the two-track access, the lower areas took good with a dense vegetative cover. What appears to be the final pit in the upper Wolf Creek area, the land has been regraded into a 'horseshoe bowl' topography with a pond in the lower area that drains to the north. Standing water in the pond was serving as a water source for cattle. A remnant fenced revegetation research plot is evident on the east side just above the pond. The slopes on the eastem and southern portions are poorly vegetated and eroded where the WoN Creek spoil serves as the growth medium. Several large erosion gullies are visible on the steep eastem slope that drains into the pond. Wolf Creek overburden spoiled into the drainage to the north and to the south is also poorly vegetated. The Wolf Creek spoil is acidic and is not conducive to vegetative growth. At this point, it is questionable whether these Wolf Creek areas will be eligible for bond release. Seneca may want to consider submitting two separate bond release applications to avoid confusion between the pre-law and interim reclaimed areas, and the post-law areas. Reclamation in the 'post' law areas is progressing very well. A couple areas remain where erosion is being monitored,-but for the majority of the reclaimed lands, the site is stabilized and well vegetated. The spillways on Ponds 4 and 8 have been redone and the ponds look good. Most of the haul roads have been narrowed to their final configuration. The northern part of the main haul road to the south remains to be narrowed. The first year of vegetation sampling was conducted over the majority of the reclaimed area this past July. Although considerable discussion has occurted regarding the revegetation sampling process, and revegetation standards, Seneca has yet to submit a revision to the permit addressing these issues. This technical revision must be submitted as soon as possible. I walked the upper segment of post mine drainage channel PM-4. Some erosion was observed in the upper reaches, buf overall the drainage is functioning well. An open soil pit was observed near the top of the channel (on the north side) that should be filled. Several patches of Canadian thistle were observed. Stock ponds, along this drainage look good, with a number of cattle using T30. I also walked PM-23 that drains into the Pecoco pond. A hole was observed in the channel a couple of years ago, presumably along the old highwall. It is still there and it needs to be filled and stabilized. Approximately 800 cattle were brought in to graze the reclaimed lands following the vegetation sampling. They were scattered throughout the reclaimed area, but congregating near the ponds. Both the sediment ponds and the permanent stockponds were being utilized. A weed spraying crew will return to Seneca II for fall spraying. Numerous patches of Canadian thistle and houndstongue are the target species.