INSPEC29547

• Permit No: C1981047
• IBM Index Class Name: Inspection
• Doc Name: COAL INSPECTION REPORT
• Inspection Date: 8/14/1991
• 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.
On August 14 a complete inspection was conducted at the Blue
Ribbon Mine. Present during the inspection was Jim Stover of
MINREC and Randy Price of MLRD. During the inspection the weather
was clear and warm. There had been frequent afternoon rains in
the area in the past few weeks but none of them have been
sufficient to cause any appreciable runoff.
At the inspection records were checked and were in order. Work
was being conducted at the pond across from the reclaimed coal
stockpile area (NPDF.S discharge point 0031. T}ie pond embankment
was being reconstructed to meet. MLRD performance standards. Also
at this time, the culvert cinder the access road had been cleaned
out. Other ponds on site were in good condition. Sediment control
ditches and diversion ditches were in good condition.
The outslopes to the reclaimed portal bench, classified as a
spoils pile, were in good condition. A seep was noted on the
north portion of the bench. This seep is perennial and has
existed since the bench was constructed. The spoil under the
bench is not saturated as demonstrated by ground water monitoring
of the potentiometric surface of the reclaimed spoils pile. The
saturated area is superficial and during wet years shallow slides
have occurred. This area has not exhibited any movement this
year. Minor infestations of Musk Thistle were noted. Some of
these areas have been sprayed this year.
Jim Stover was in the process of sealing the alluvial water well.
The permit application, page 116, Plate 17, contains the sealing
plans for the well. They required that the entire well casing be
sealed with concrete. The well is 65 feet deep, however alluvium
had been previously placed in the well and the level appeared to
be within 10 feet of the surface. Rule 4.07.3, permanent sealing
of wells, requires that the wells completed in aquifers be sealed
with cement or other suitable sealant. A minor revision was
issued in the field to allow the alluvium placed in the well with
the addition of concrete poured on top of this to be used as a
sealant. The fill material with concrete should be effective in
preventing surface waters from entering the alluvial aquifer by
way of the well casing.