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June 21, 2007 <br />Seneca Coal Company (SCC) <br />P.O. Box 670 <br />Hayden, CO 81639 <br />Yoast Mine <br />Recently regraded lands evaluation; Post mining topography evaluation <br />June 21, 2007 <br />Participants: <br />Roy Karo, SCC <br />Mike Boulay, Colorado Division of Reclamation, Mining, and Safety (DBMS) <br />Heruy Austin, Office of Surface Mining (OSM) <br />I participated in the two evaluations noted above at the Yoast Mine on June 21, <br />2007, with Mike Boulay of DBMS. The primary purpose of these evaluations was <br />to determine whether this operation is preventing or minimizing offsite impacts <br />(primarily to the hydrologic balance) from recently re-graded lands; and to <br />evaluate reclamation success by determining whether the post mining topography <br />has been established as approved in the DBMS permit. No offsite impacts were <br />documented during the evaluation. The post mining topography has been <br />established as approved in the DBMS permit, which helps to ensure reclamation <br />success. <br />Mr. Boulay and I explained the nature of the evaluations to Mr. Karo. We reviewed <br />pre-mine and post-mine cross sections, and post mining topography maps, and <br />determined the regraded areas that fell into the 2005-2006 evaluation year. The <br />areas were the final pits which remained open through January 2006 including the <br />South Valora, Wolf Creek, and Scraper Pits. All map and cross section <br />comparisons made from pre mining to post mining topography were very close to <br />original contours, and permanent drainage locations were marked and are in their <br />approximate pre mining locations. Map comparisons indicate compliance with the <br />post mining topography approved in the DBMS permit for these areas. <br />We evaluated the recently regraded areas in the field. All surface water runoff is <br />controlled by sediment ponds, and we determined that the sediment ponds were <br />functioning as designed. Pond 12 was discharging clear water, and the only pond <br />we noted that was discharging. We made stops and observations at the following: <br />South Valora Pit, Wolf Creek Pit, overlook area, the Scraper Pit. Surface water <br />runoff control was in compliance for all areas evaluated. <br />