INSPEC18935

• Permit No: C1984067
• IBM Index Class Name: Inspection
• Doc Date: 7/10/1997
• Doc Name: COAL INSPECTION REPORT
• Inspection Date: 6/30/1997
• 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 partial inspection of the Coal Gulch Mine was conducted by Wally Erickson from
the DMG Durango office, 484 Turner Drive, Building F, Suite 101, Durango, CO 81301,
phone [phone]. The permit for the Coal Gulch Mine was revoked over 5 years
ago. Financial warranty was forfeited and utilized for final reclamation.
Mine identification sign was posted at mine entrance. Public access to permit area is
controlled by locked cable and fence along Hwy 160. Access road was well
maintained, gate was locked. No individuals were contacted, no activities observed
during the time of this inspection.
Sediment Pond was holding water, water depth visually estimated at 2'. Cattails and
sedges were well established within pond. Pond embankment was stable, vegetative
cover was established and weedy. Thistle, downy brome, foxtail barley, yellow clover
and other various annuals were observed on pond embankment. Spillways were clear of
sediment and debris, no discharge from pond. Pond inlets were stable, two active seeps
were discharging into pond.
Water was impounded within low lying area at back least) end of permit area. Water
depth was visually estimated at 3'. Aquatic vegetation was well established, tadpoles
were thriving within impounded water.
Gulch was flowing, < 1 cfs. Channel of gulch appeared stable along the NE side of the
permit area. Minor headcutting was evident in the gulch, behind the stockpile area
currently being utilized by Fire Hawk Contractors, near the mine entrance. DMG records
indicate that activities conducted by Fire Hawk Contractors, are occurring on land
owned by Fire Hawk.
Disturbed slope on NE side of gulch, at location of Fire Hawk stockpile area, has
slumped. Scarp of rotational slump was approximately 4'H and 40'L. Slump appeared
to include approximately 600 sq. ft. area. Toe of slump terminated at gulch channel and
is being eroded by gulch flow. Water was observed seeping from toe of slump. Source
of seep is apparently connected with ruptured pipe from Victory No. 3 pre-law mine,
previously addressed in DMG 10/7/96 inspection report.
Backfilled and graded areas appeared stable. Reclamation vegetation included 5
varieties of desirable grasses, yarrow, wooly mullen, yellow clover, gambles oak and
wild rose. Undesirable vegetation included downy brome, foxtail barley, thistle,
knapweed, and yellow toad flax. Crows and yellow bellied marmots were observed
within the permit area.