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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 conducted by Kent Gorham of the Colorado Division of Minerals <br />and Geology. This coal operation has ceased coal removal and is actively reclaiming the <br />disturbed area. Patchy snow covered less exposed areas and ground conditions were <br />variable depending on exposure. The weather was windy and cold. <br />Roads <br />The culvert locations within the disturbed area along the Jeff Canyon haul road were <br />individually inspected. Ascending the road, the first culvert occurs at the head of ditch D97 <br />(18" CMP). The next culvert is at the head of ditch D98 (20" steel). The third culvert (20" <br />steel) is located below the riprapped ditch located on the left side of the road. The slope <br />below this culvert and above ditch D96 requires some modification to safely and effectively <br />route water to ditch D96. The next culvert is located above and slightly east of <br />ditch/downdrain D83 {20" steel). The fifth and last culvert has yet to be installed, but will <br />pass flows from the saddle area above fill 8, under the road and, ultimately, to pond 8. <br />Mr. Thompson, Mr. Steele and me also inspected a location along the Lorencito Canyon <br />road that requires the addition of one or possibly two culverts. Due to the existing shallow <br />grade along this road, and flows from the Jeff Canyon haul road above, significant runoff <br />accumulates and must be passed east under the Lorencito Canyon haul road to the creek. <br />We discussed various options and reviewed possible locations for culverts. The operator <br />should ensure that necessary permitting and installation of this culvert is completed prior to <br />the summer monsoon season. <br />Hvdrolooic Balance <br />Ponds located inside Jeff Canyon were noted as dry. Pond 9 and Pond 5 both appeared <br />about'/z full of water. Neither was discharging. The operator should check both the east <br />embankment and emergency spillway at Pond 6A to ensure they meet the design <br />requirements and Rules regarding required freeboard during design flow conditions. <br />Support Facilities <br />The coal loadout has been regraded since the last inspection. This disturbed area is <br />approved to be returned to a post mining land use of irrigated pasture. The operator should <br />ensure that the landowners desire regarding possible future flood irrigation are <br />accommodated prior to topsoiling this area. The portable coal crusher remains at the coal <br />loadout, but preparations are underway to remove this piece of equipment <br />Topsoil <br />Topsoil noted in piles in various areas of the disturbed area have been re-spread since the <br />