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<br />III. COMMENTS -COMPLIANCE <br />Below are comments on the inspection. The comments include discussion of observations made <br />during the inspection. Comments also describe any enforcement actions taken during the <br />inspection and the facts or evidence supporting the enforcement action. <br />Q <br />This was the 3rd quarter complete inspection of the Red Canyon <br />Mine, conducted by Dan Mathews of the DMG, Grand Junction Office. <br />The entire reclaimed mine site was inspected on the morning of <br />September 24, and records were checked at the Office of Clerk and <br />Recorder at the Delta County Courthouse in Delta. <br />Weather at the time of the site inspection was clear and mild. <br />Soils were moist in most areas due to recent rains, and most <br />ephemeral drainages in the vicinity showed evidence of recent flow. <br />Availability of Records <br />Required records were on file at the courthouse, along with the <br />public notice advising interested persons to contact the Division <br />for further information regarding coal mines in De1ta.County. <br />One item of note is that the CDPS discharge permit expired on June <br />30, 1997. Water Quality Control Division (WQCD) officials have <br />indicated in phone conversations that, because of the reclaimed <br />status of the mine and demonstration that disturbed areas are not <br />contributing suspended solids in excess of pre-mine levels, renewal <br />of the permit would not be required. A June 30, 1997 letter from <br />Phil Hegeman, WQCD, to Jim Stover of MINREC, INC., and copied to <br />the Division, acknowledges expiration of the permit, but-seems to <br />erroneously imply that discharge from the pond has ceased. Tri <br />fact, final reclamation of drainages at the mine site will direct <br />irrigation drainage flows through the pond (which has been approved <br />as a permanent impoundment), and future discharge would be <br />anticipated. It is recommended that the operator seek written <br />clarification on this point from WQCD. <br />Roads <br />There was minor rilling on the surface of the remaining road <br />segment near the mine entrance gate. The road segment will be <br />retained for postmine access to the site, but the surface of the <br />road will be ripped and seeded to minimize the potential for <br />erosion and noxious weed establishment. This work will be <br />conducted in association with final reclamation of temporary <br />diversions, and the permanent drainage channel, scheduled for later <br />this fall. <br />