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i j • • I accompanied Larry Routen, Colorado Mined Land Reclamation Division (MLRD), on a complete, statistical sample oversight inspection of the Enron Coal Co., Meeker Area Mines on 5/28/92. We were not accompanied by any permittee representative. Weather conditions were partly cloudy and fair. There had been intermittent thundershowers in Meeker and surrounding areas for several days prior to the inspection. Ground conditions were wet in some areas but not saturated and no surface water runoff was evident on the areas inspected. My inspection preparation from The Albuquerque Field Office (AFO) prior to the inspection consisted of reviewing the approved permit, inspection and enforcement files and related correspondence. Specifics of the review included: 7/14/87 joint MLRD/AFO Phase I bond release inspection report and related correspondence; 4/13/92 bonding endorsement in the amount of $ 307,000; 1/5/90 permit renewal for C-81-032 with two stipulations; and a 1/17/90 letter from Greg Lewicki (permittee consultant) to MLRD outlining annual reclamation monitoring and permit compliance responsibilities which Mr. Lewicki pertorms for the company. We began the inspection on 5/28 by reviewing company records which are maintained at the Rio Blanco County Courthouse in Meeker, CO. Mr. Routen and I reviewed the following records: permit approval document; quarterly sediment pond inspection reports; quarterly NPDES monitoring reports (the only pond which appears to be discharging is the N#1 Pond at the Northern #1 Mine which receives spring fed runoff and is proposed to remain as a permanent impoundment ); 8/1/84 RPE certifications for the sediment ponds and a 7/22/85 annual certification for the waste rock/refuse disposal facility which was permanently reclaimed in 1985; 1/9/92 Annual Hydrologic report, Rienau # 2 ditch evaluation permit stipulation ), and the required rill and gully inspection; 2/19/92 slope stability measurements (MLRD has subsequently approved a request to delete the slope stability measurements as the established monitoring record indicates a stable backfill on the areas which were monitored ); 11/30/91 was the last thermocouple readings in the record; and current liability insurance document (expires 6/1/92 ). We began the field inspection following the records review at the Rienau # 2 Mine which is a reclaimed portal area. the 7/14/87 joint inspection report referred to above is incorporated by reference and details slope measurements, soil cover, etc. and will not be reitterated here. The area appears stable including final backfilled slopes, undisturbed runoff ditch, and sediment ponds. Revegetation attempts appear successful in most areas. The southeast facing slopes in a few locations just immediately below the undisturbed runoff diversion have bare spots and should be spot seeded. The sediment ponds were not discharging. The noxious weed leafy spurge is present in several locations throughout the reclaimed area and adjacent undisturbed areas. We noticed the weed in several locations around the sediment ponds and also evidence of unauthorized cattle grazing or loading north and adjacent to the sediment ponds. The permittee has committed to annually monitoring the weed infestations during May/June and taking appropriate control action. The fence between State Highway 13 and the sediment ponds needs to be maintained to avoid collapse and the gate south and adjacent to the sediment ponds is open. This concluded the inspection of the Rienau # 2 Mine.