INSPEC19160

• Permit No: C1981008
• IBM Index Class Name: Inspection
• Doc Name: OSM Inspection Report
• From: OSM
• To: DMG
• Inspection Date: 8/14/2002
• Media Type: D
• Archive: No

Sept 24, 2002 .
Western Fuels-Colorado
P.O. Box 628
Nucla, Colorado 81424
New Horizon Mine #2
August 14, 2002
Special focus evaluation
Participants:
Tony Adkins, Western Fuels
Harry Ranney, Colorado Division of Minerals and Geology (DMG)
Tonya Buckmaster, Office of Surface Mining (OSM)
Howard Strand, OSM
Henry Austin, OSM
I participated in a special focus evaluation of the New Horizon Mine that reviewed the
public participation aspects of the permittee's blasting program (public notice and
distribution of the mine blasting schedule, pre-blast survey notification, daily blasting
logs, blasting warning signs, and the blasting narrative in the approved DMG mining
permit); and we also reviewed the approved small azea drainage exemptions (SAE's)
at the mine. Weather conditions were hot and dry and ground conditions at the mine
were also very dry, with the exception of irrigated reclamation areas. The special focus
topics were selected by the joint OSM /DMG evaluation team.
Mr. Ranney led the inspection and we reviewed the permitting actions /narrative /and
designs for the two approved SAE's at the mine; and we also reviewed the above blasting
notification provisions and permitting information regarding blasting procedures. We
inspected the two SAE areas in the field, and also made observations of the blasting
warning signs and the active mining /blasting area.
The two SAE's are adequately described in the permit. Runoff modeling was done for
topsoil pile K, and a typical berm design is provided. The alternate sediment control
measures described in the permit were confirmed in the field. There was no evidence of
sediment or uncontrolled runoff outside the permit area at the SAE locations, and the
alternate control methods are effective as installed. The permittee has done a good job of
control both on the SAE # 4 area and topsoil pile K. Some diffuse knapweed was noted at
the topsoil stockpile area and it should be sprayed or preferably removed to reduce the
seed source from these mature plants. Diversions here and the stockpile are stable. In
addition to the alternate sediment control methods described in the permit for SAE
area # 4, the permittee has utilized cleared /grubbed native brush and trees in windrows
for runoff control, that appear to be very effective and preferable to either silt fence or
straw bales in this location. This practice is encouraged for other areas as the mine
expands. During an opportune permit revision period, this practice should be described in
the SAE narrative (Attachment 2.05.3(3) -10-119).