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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 site was idled following the shutdown and reclamation of the Lorencito <br />Canyon Mine (# C-96-084). The weather was warm and afternoon showers briefly <br />interrupted the inspection. All areas were accessible by foot or vehicle. <br />Roads <br />Mine road surfaces were in good condition considering the wet weather. The access road to <br />the RDA was in good condition although the ditches will require shaping when equipment <br />comes to the site in the near future. Drainage near the coal stockpile west of pond 7 is also <br />necessary south of the roadway. <br />Hydrologic Balance <br />Pond 7 held water at about 1/3 its capacity. The sediment marker was standing near the <br />inlet of the pond but based on the water level at the riser, it appeared set about one foot too <br />high. It should be lowered when water levels allow. The pond 7 outlet gate was found closed <br />and the weir box at the outlet was found cleaned of debris and vegetation. The three <br />containments near the refuse conveyor were holding water due to recent runoff. Pond 8 at <br />the RDA was discharging a trickle and water levels were at the lip of the drop inlet riser. <br />Evidence of heavy discharge from this pond was obvious at the outlet. Repair at the <br />emergency spillway intersection remains to be completed. <br />Some flow had escaped both the east and the west downdrains at the RDA but the pond <br />contained all flows. Re-shaping of both of these riprap ditches is necessary to ensure flows <br />are contained in the downdrains. We discussed plans to re-work the refuse pile surface the <br />slow down the delivery rate of storm runoff from the pile surface. The operator plans to <br />begin that work in the near future. <br />Pond 4 was holding a small amount of water but still had significant capacity before any <br />discharge would be anticipated. Ditches from the Development Waste Pile were in good <br />condition and are directing flows to this pond as designed. <br />Revegetation <br />The reclaimed area of former pond 5 and the large coal stockpile area to the south are <br />progressing normally for the second growing season following seeding. Annual weeds are <br />abundant but the understory reveals grasses and fortis of the permanent seed mix. Noxious <br />weeds are not established in these areas but have been noted in areas to the west. The <br />operator has recently completed weed control in this area. <br />Overall, the site appeared in good condition for the summer season <br />