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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 inspection <br />and the facts or evidence supporting the enforcement action. <br />This was a partial inspection of the Yoast Mine conducted on August 22. 2005 by Mike Boulay <br />of the DMG. John Fitch of Seneca Coal Company (SCC) was present during the entire <br />inspection. Weather conditions were sunny and warm. Ground conditions at the mine site were <br />dry. No coal was being hauled from the mine at the time of the inspection. The dragline was <br />operating in the south Wolf Creek Pit. <br />Hydrologic Balance <br />Since the last inspection improvements to Aost Mine Channel YPM-10 have been made. The <br />lower end of this channel has been problematic near the bend above YPM-11. The lower portion <br />of the channel was realigned and straightened out to improve the stability of the channel above its <br />confluence with YPM-11. <br />Sedimentation Ponds 010. 012, 013, and 014 were inspected. Ponds 010, 013, and 014 were <br />retaining water but were not discharging. Pond 012 was full and discharging a small amount of <br />clear water. At Pond 012 aspring/seepage is developing on both sides of the inlet. The slide <br />area above Pond 012 is stable with no additional movement or cracking noted in the slide <br />damaged area. Pond inlets, discharge structures and embankments appear stable with no <br />problems noted at any of the sediment pond locations. <br />Backfill & Grading, Topsoil, and Revegetation <br />Good progress has been made on all areas designated for backfill and grading in 2005. Three <br />dozers were rough backfilling and grading in the Scraper Pit area. There is still a substantial <br />amount of water in the lower end of the Scraper Pit. One dozer was working to slowly squeeze <br />the pit and transfer water via a temporary ditch to Pond 013 for treatment prior to discharge. <br />Topsoil redistribution appears current in the Yoast South area. Seeding was underway in the <br />Yoast South area at the time of the inspection. The Neck Pit will also require topsoil <br />redistribution and seeding this fall to maintain compliance with permit conditions. SCC has <br />proposed changes to the approved Backfill and Grading Plan (Exhibit 19-1A), and to the topsoil <br />redistribution and revegetation schedules with Permit Revision No. 2. The Division sent an <br />adequacy review letter to SCC for PR-02 on June 9, 2005 and has not received comment <br />responses back from SCC. <br />