INSPEC23827

• Permit No: C1982057
• IBM Index Class Name: Inspection
• Doc Name: Inspection Report
• Inspection Date: 7/30/2003
• 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.
pond) were completed in 1998/1999, when much of the 005 Gulch disturbed area
watershed was reclaimed. However, construction of the steep lower segment of the 005
Gulch and the entire length of the 005 E-1 Gulch through the spoils regraded in 2002, has
not been completed. To date, excavation and shaping of the remaining segment of 005
Gulch has been completed and riprap installation has been completed along the upper %: of
the segment. Construction of 005 E-1 Gulch channel has not yet been initiated.
Based on the general permit requirements described previously, the operator will be required
to complete all permanent drainage construction, topsoil replacement, topsoil roughening on
steep slopes (track-hoe or dozer gouges) and permanent seeding in the "D" Pit Area by the
end of the 2003 field season (November 15-.
Bob Shevling indicated that SCC does anticipate that the reclamation schedule described
will be achieved in the "D" Pit Area.
A"Pit Area Reclamation Status
Text in Tab 19, and Exhibit 19-1A describe and depict several locations within the "A" Pit
area where variances from contemporaneous reclamation time frames have been approved.
These areas include pit disturbances over 7 Y: miles in length, extending from just above the
switchback curve in Haul Road A above Pond 006 all the way up-slope to the ridgeline that
defines the eastern perimeter of the mining area, and approximately 2000 feet along the
ridgeline to the south. Backfilling and grading was completed within a middle section of the
disturbance in 2002, but has not been completed in upper and lower sections.
Significant backfilling has been conducted in the lower. "A" Pit area in recent months, but
much work remains to be done to attain the approved final contours, and eliminate all
depressions. In the upper section along the ridgeline, most of the pit length scheduled to be
backfilled and graded during 2003 (per requirements of the approved permit) is still open,
with backfilling not yet initiated.
Based on discussion with Bob Shevling, there are a couple issues that SCC wishes to
pursue that would impact "A" Pit backfilling and grading plans and scheduling. First, Mr.
Shevling indicates that SCC will submit a technical revision application that will propose a
modified postmining topography (PMT) for the lower section of the "A" Pit spoils. The TR
would alter the final drainage channel locations, provide for a more diverse topography, and
significantly reduce spoil grading volumes and distances. Second, SCC will submit a permit
revision application (PR-4) to request highwall mining within the ridgeline Wedge Pits,
including a significant length of the pit which had been granted a variance from
contemporaneous reclamation and is currently required to be backfilled and graded by the
end of 2003. PR-4 would include a request for further extension of the contemporaneous
reclamation variance to allow for highwall mining of the ridgeline Wedge Pits.