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Elk Creek C-1981-022 17 September 2007 P9 2/3 Hydrologic Balance (cant.l: - Pond D contained water approximately two feet below the top of the primary discharge pipe and was not discharging at the time of the inspection. The majority of the water was pumped to Pond B last month so the pond could be cleaned so it did not discharge in response to this storm event. The pond embankment was well vegetated and appeared to be stable at the time of the inspection. No erosional problems were noted on the pond embankment. - Pond F contained a small amount of water and was not discharging at the time of the inspection. The pond embankment was well vegetated and appeared to be stable at the time of the inspection. No erosional problems were noted on the pond embankment. The freshwater diversion ditch around the Hubbard Creek fan site and the runoff ditch were both stable at the time of the inspection. - The ditches along the haul road to the Elk Creek facilities area appeared to be stable and functioning as designed. Some of the ditches and sumps do need to be cleaned as a result of the recent storms. No erosional problems were noted in any of the ditches. After the weekend rains, there were a few straw bales that were blown-out. These straw-bales need to be fixed and/or replaced as necessary. Backfilling and Grading: -The backfilled Sanborn Creek portal area remains stable. No cracking or slumping of the backfill has been observed to date. There are no erosional problems on the backfilled slopes. The area is also beginning to grow some vegetation. Explosives: -The explosives magazines were in place just below Pond D and the elevated conveyor from Elk Creek portals to the coal stockpile at the time of the inspection. The small pad where the magazines are located was stable and in good condition at the time of the inspection. Processing Waste: -The West Valley Fill was well maintained and stable at the time of the inspection. There was no water pooling on the pile. The operator has excavated approximately five feet of material from approximately one half of the pile. This is the material that was hauled to the pile from the pond cleanings. The material did not meet compaction limits and has to be respread and compacted. OMLLC is reminded that the maximum lift height for spreading and compacting is two feet. There is approximately 10 vertical feet left on the pile, based on the operator's recent survey and the survey stakes that have been placed in the ground. The operator plans to use the West Valley Fil! during the winter months and the II-West refuse pile during the summer months. This will extend the life of the West Valley Fill. The reclaimed outslopes of the pile were all well vegetated and stable. No erosional problems were noted on the outslopes at the time of the inspection. - The II-West refuse pile was inaccessible at the time of the inspection due to the wet and muddy conditions. Support Facilities: -Both the Sanborn Creek and Elk Creek Mine facilities areas appeared to be stable at the time of the inspection. No erosional or other problems were noted at either of the facilities areas. - The downhill conveyor from the Elk Creek Portals to the coal stockpile was stable and in good condition at the time of the inspection. - The Hubbard Creek fan pad was stable at the time of the inspection. The boreholes at the site were also stable. No erosional problems were noted on the pad or cut-slopes.