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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 <br />inspection and the facts or evidence supporting the enforcement action. <br />This was a partial inspection of the Yoast Coal Mine conducted by Erica Crosby of DMG. The <br />inspection involved viewing three aerial photographs of the mine and 10 aerial photographs of <br />the cliff above the Bennett's residence. The photographs were taken by Harry Ranney of DMG <br />on 9/28/96. The status of the mine is active. Haul Roads A and B have been constructed and <br />topsoil has been stripped in the pit area. Weather and ground conditions appeared dry. <br />Roads Portions of Haul roads A and B were noted in the photographs. The roads appeared dry <br />and no stability problems were noted. The dragline "dead head" route is under construction in <br />the drainage under the power lines. This revision was approved under TR-03. Equipment was <br />actively placing cut and fill material in the drainage bottom. The temporary diversion ditch and <br />sediment control facilities could not be depicted in the photographs. Operator should ensure <br />that these features are in place, as approved in TR-03. <br />Hvdroloaic Balance Pond 010 contained water. Pond appears stable, and no problems are <br />noted. <br />Explosives A number of aerial photographs were taken of the rock cliff adjacent to the Bennett <br />residence. The home is located approximately 5700 feet away from the closest blasting that <br />will occur over the next few years at the Yoast Mine. The land owner voiced concerns about <br />the rock feature and the impacts of blasting at the Yoast Mine. This feature was included in the <br />Pre-blast survey. Photographs were reviewed by Mr. Jim Pendleton of DMG. The cliff feature <br />is massive and sturdy. No loose rocks were noted in the photos, and no rock debris is present. <br />This rock appears to serve as a natural shelter. Seneca proposes to take some video of the <br />cliffs as well as place a seismograph at the house to record information on all overburden shots <br />over the first few months. Next April and October, Seneca will come back out and take some <br />additional video of the cliffs to see if anything has taken place in the first year of blasting. <br />The pit area is being drilled for the first blast at the Yoast Mine. <br />To soil Topsoil has been salvaged from the pit area and placed in various stockpiles. It appears <br />that topsoil has been salvaged in the drainage bottom of the "dead head" routed. Piles have <br />been wind rowed adjacent to the disturbance. <br />