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murky with debris and froth floating on the surface. The water level was a few <br />inches below the lowest discharge hole. Sediment buildup in many ditches from cut <br />slopes above the ditches was observed at numerous locations following the storm. <br />These ditches, including D96 and the permanent road ditch, will require cleaning <br />as soon as the material is sufficiently dry to allow equipment access. <br />Backfilling and Grading <br />Backfilling and grading work was noted during the inspection above pond 7 and fill <br />7. The operator should ensure that post-mining drainage is appropriately handled <br />in this area in conjunction with any regarding to final post-mining topography. <br />The large regraded area above pond 6 will also require consideration regarding <br />permanent drainage. The operator should also evaluate what appears to be a <br />topographic low between the top of fill 8 and the top of the access road to pond <br />5. This area may need significant drainage work to achieve positive drainage. <br />The landowner stated they would be agreeable to a stockpontl in this reclaimed area <br />if the operator chooses to submit the appropriate permitting to the DMG. An old <br />road corridor above the windsock location also requires regrading to AOC and <br />reseeding. <br />Support Facilities <br />The two railroad storage cars and four power poles remain at the office area. A <br />portable prill bin, two tree sap tanks, three fuel tanks and two equipment tires <br />along with a minor amount of ancillary equipment and supplies remain at the <br />Service Area. Stockpiled coal and a portable coal crusher remain at the coal <br />loadout. <br />Topsoil <br />As stated in the previous inspection, the operator should verify that topsoil re- <br />spread on the northeast side of the un-mined ridge has been reapplied to the <br />approved depth of .85 feet. This material appears similar to overburden material <br />but contains plant roots and stems indicating near surface origin. <br />Revegetation <br />Grasses, fortis, and annual weeds were noted growing vigorously on the reclaimed <br />outslopes of fill 7 and fill 9, as well as other small areas previously reclaimed <br />and re-seeded. Species included Western wheatgrass, vetch, intermediate <br />wheatgrass, sunflower, yarrow, prairie coneflower, and various annual weeds. Mr. <br />Powell had previously identified and sprayed knapweed on the far western disturbed <br />area near an area where some topsoil had been pushed into a stockpile near the <br />windsock. The operator should aggressively seek out and destroy any knapweed <br />found on the site prior to setting of seed heads. Bagging of these sprayed plants <br />may help to prevent the spread of any seed that might develop on missed plants. <br />4 <br />