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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. To soil Topsoiling operations were not closely evaluated, but topsoil replacement appears to be contemporaneous with backfilling and grading. The need to provide or retain sediment control measures in place at reclaimed topsoil stockpile locations that do not drain into sedimentation ponds was discussed with the operator. The approved permit includes SAE demonstrations and associated sediment controls for these stockpile locations. General Mine Compliance Operations appear in general to be in compliance with the approved plan. Coal extraction is winding down, and there will be not further disturbance beyond the current topsoil strip boundary in the Wolf Creek/Sage Creek mining block. At the time of the inspection, the dragline was actually being used to recover Wolf Creek coal from the lower end of the current pit. Operator indicated that there are two more pits to be excavated to recover the Wolf Creek seam and one additional pit to recover the Sage Creek seam. No further coal recovery is anticipated at Seneca II-W. Fish and Wildlife A herd of 20 or more elk was observed in the "A" Pit reclamation area during the permanent channel inspection on October 6. Revegetation Revegetation success was not closely evaluated during this inspection. Revegetation operations appear to be closely contemporaneous with topsoiling operations. The large fenced aspen planting area on the ridgeline and the smaller fenced aspen planting area near Stockpond T-5 in the "A" Pit area had recently been planted with aspen and shrub seedlings, and seeded with the shrub/forb mix. Drip irrigation systems are being set up for both these areas. An upland shrub planting area had also recently been completed in the recently topsoiled portion of the North Leg Wadge Pit in the South Extension Area. This area is scheduled to be fenced next spring. 7