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III. COMMENi~ -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 conducted by Kent Gorham and Sandy Brown of the Colorado <br />Division of Reclamation, Mining, and Safety (Division). This former mountaintop removal <br />operation is now reclaimed and has achieved a Phase I bond release for most areas <br />Ground conditions on this day were dry and the weather was mild with only a light breeze. <br />The mine is actively reclaiming the steep slope areas of the mine with the intention of <br />finishing reclamation work before winter arrives in the region. Ron Thompson of Peak <br />Protect Management accompanied us on the inspection. <br />Hydrologic Balance <br />Pond 5 held a good amount of water slightly below the lowest hole on the principle spillway <br />riser. The pond was not discharging. A significant gas seep exists in Cow Creek immediately <br />adjacent to this pond Bubbling of gas was observed in the creek for 150 feet and dead <br />vegetation was noted in the meadow west of the creek. This pond was constructed <br />immediately prior to the mine ceasing operations and only a very small disturbed area <br />reports to this pond. <br />Revegetation <br />We observed hydroseeding operations <br />in Area E-1 as shown on the 2005 <br />Annual Reclamation Report map. <br />Hydra-seeding consists of two main <br />steps, application of seed followed by <br />application of mulch mixed with fertilizer <br />and a tackifier (shown below) The <br />mulch application was observed during <br />the inspection over an area that had <br />been seeded previously <br />Approximately one acre at a time is <br />treated with this two-step process (see <br />photo at right) <br />