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<br />April 21, 2003 <br />NCIG Financial <br />C/O Jim Stover & Associates <br />Minrec,Inc. <br />2768 Compass Drive, Suite 101 <br />Grand Junction, CO 81506 <br />Coal Ridge Mine <br />Joint, complete, oversight inspection <br />April 15, 2003 <br />Participants: <br />Byron Walker, Colorado Division of Minerals & Geology (DMG) <br />Henry Austin, Office of Surface Mining (OSM) <br />I participated in a complete, oversight inspection as indicated above. This mine was <br />selected by the joint DMG / OSM Oversight Team for a complete inspection with an <br />emphasis on evaluating reclamation success. Weather conditions were overcast with <br />intermittent rain showers in the area. Ground conditions were damp, with no surface <br />water runoff noted. There were no offsite impacts noted during the inspection. <br />We walked or drove through all of the reclaimed areas. All surface areas are stable with <br />little or no erosion evident, including the permanent access roadway and associated <br />drainage ditches. Mr. Walker discussed the remaining diversion berm that currently needs <br />to be removed below portal # 1 (western most reclaimed portal area). The sedimentation <br />pond contained some water. We discussed the possibility of permanent retention of the <br />pond. It is located in a suitable azea and has a stable embankment and dischazge spillway <br />features. This pond has never been problematic in my experience at this site, and would <br />facilitate the approved post mining land use here. Currently the pond is not approved for <br />retention. There was minor evidence of cattle grazing /loafing on the reclaimed azeas. No <br />problems noted currently. Cattle concentrations at the pond should be monitored to avoid <br />excessive use /grazing damage to embankment vegetative cover. <br />The drainage pipe at portal #1 was not discharging, and there was no evidence of recent <br />(nor historic) discharge there. We discussed whether this drain was / is intended and <br />designed in the approved permit to remain as a permanent feature. Mr. Walker will <br />research this. <br />The portal # 2 area (eastern most reclaimed area) is also stable and there was no sign of <br />backfill instability noted. This concluded the field inspection. <br />