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Seneca Coal Company <br />P.O. Drawer D <br />Hayden, CO 81639 <br />Seneca II West Mme <br />Special Focus Inspection <br />August 20, 1996 <br />Participants: <br />Erica Crosby/Larry Routten, DMG <br />Mrke Altavilla/Roy Karo, Seneca Coal <br />Glen Golden/I~tch Rollings/Henry Austin, OSM <br />Office of Surface Mining (OSM) representatives participated in a special focus inspection <br />concerning contemporaneous reclamation with representatives of the the Colorado Division of <br />Minerals and Geology (DMG) and Seneca Coal Company. Weather was warm and partly cloudy <br />and ground conditions were dry mine wide. <br />Prior to the inspection, OSM representatives met with DMG on 8/12/96 to discuss inspection <br />protocol and review information supplied to OSM dated 7f 12!96 which provided preliminary, <br />tentative permit information on the mine; discussed backfilling and grading variances; and <br />presented worst case bonding information. Ms. Crosby also provided updated mine specific <br />disturbance and grading information to OSM dated 8/13/96. During the inspection Mr. Altavilla <br />provided a 6/1J96 aerial photo of the site for our use. Later he provided by mail up to date <br />Reclamation Map information concerning recent backfilling/grading and topsoiling operations on <br />the mine as of 8/96. The above documentation, discussions, and on-site inspection were all used <br />to conclude that the Seneca II West Mme is operating in accordance with DMG's <br />contemporaneous reclamation requirements. <br />We began the inspection at the South Block, Pits A & B Area. Drilling to prepaze for blasting <br />and grading operations for final pit highwall reduction were occuring at Pit B and coal removal is <br />completed here. Spoil area in this pit is being rough graded and current .The dragline was <br />operating in Pit A which is the only pit remaining to be advanced in both the South and North <br />Blocks of the mine. Rough grading is also current in the Pit A area. We made general <br />observations of the topsoil replacement areas completed this season and awaiting fall 96 <br />seeding/mulching. The operation is ahead of approved permitting requirements for both final <br />grading and topsoil replacement in the Pit A area. <br />