INSPEC17297

• Permit No: C1996084
• IBM Index Class Name: Inspection
• Doc Name: Inspection Report
• Inspection Date: 4/6/2004
• Media Type: D
• Archive: No

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 Phase I bond release inspection conducted by Kent Gorham of the Colorado
Division of Minerals and Geology (DMG). Lorencito Coal Company (LCC) submitted an
application for Phase I bond release in August 2003 following the completion of backfilling
and grading at the site. However, this application was found incomplete due to the lack of
specific information as detailed in the DMG's letter of August 27, 2003. On February 27,
2004, the DMG received additional information and subsequent to review of this information,
the bond release application was found complete on March 10, 2004. In accordance with
Rule 3.03.2(2) the DMG must conduct an inspection and evaluation of the work conducted
within 30 days of finding the application complete. The weather was cold and windy and
ground conditions were very wet and muddy due to the recent arrival of badly needed rain
and snow. Areas were accessible by foot.
The following parties were present for the inspection; Mike Powell, landowner representative;
Ron Thompson and Bobby Steele representing Lorencito Coal Company(LCC); and Robert
Lucero and Vince Vigil representing Las Animas County (LAC). The inspection began with
all parties meeting at the coal loadout where apre-inspection briefing was held. Topics
covered during the briefing included the amount of bond subject to the release request, the
reclamation requirements of a Phase I request (backfilling, grading, and drainage control),
areas subject to the request, and Division policy in terms of calculating bond necessary to
complete remaining reclamation work. The process of requesting an informal hearing and
objecting following a proposed decision by the Division were also discussed.
Subsequent to the pre-inspection briefing, the inspection began on the east end of the
reclaimed mining area. Fill 9 was viewed and no slumps, slides, or evidence of instability
were noted. Above Fill 9 is an area consisting of a flattened ridge with a reclaimed highwall
on the western edge of the flat area. Drainage control in this area is a combination of ditches
on both the north and the south highwall, running laterally down the highwall at a 2-5%
grade, then entering riprap-lined channels. One channel directs flow to the southwest
downdrain of Fill 9. The other channel directs flow to the north into a culvert under the
permanent road that skirts the north side of the reclaimed area. Ditch maintenance to
remove siltation and final completion of the riprap channel (placement and addition of small
rock) are necessary in this area. Highwalls were observed and were found blended well into
the undisturbed area above. Small, undisturbed rock outcroppings were noted at the top of
the reclaimed highwall. Mining did not remove the "center core" of the undisturbed ridge,
resulting in more of a contour mining operation in this area rather than the planned mountain
top removal.
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