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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 />General Comments <br />This was a partial mine site inspection, conducted by Dan Mathews of the Grand Junction Field Office. I <br />was not accompanied during the inspection, but discussed my observations with Walter Whitledge at the <br />conclusion of the inspection. Weather was partly cloudy and cool; ground surfaces were moist from <br />recent precipitation, muddy in low areas and shaded sites. The operator had suspended coal extraction <br />operations the previous day, due to detection of high levels of hydrogen sulfide gas. MSHA had been <br />contacted and an MSHA inspector was present in the mine during my surface inspection. Waiter <br />Whitledge indicated that certain changes had been made in the mine ventilation system to address the <br />problem, and that additional measures were under consideration. <br />Availability of Records <br />Office records were not checked during the inspection, but the operator was reminded that the Division <br />had not yet received the renewal permit document with an original signature of the appropriate CAM <br />official. The operator indicated that the document would be promptly signed and submitted to the <br />Division. A copy of the signed document will need to be kept on file at the mine office. <br />Roads <br />The road surface and drainage structures were generally in good condition, but maintenance is warranted <br />in the locations described below. <br />~ Minor rock and sediment accumulation along a segment of inside road ditch at the base of the steep <br />cut-slope, approximately 100 yards up the road from the steel gate (between the portal area and the <br />sediment pond/soil stockpile areal. <br />~ The in-ditch sediment trap across from the equipment storage area was partially cleaned out, further <br />clean-out is warranted. <br />~ A large juniper limb had fallen into the ditch just below the sediment trap, and needs to be removed. <br />~ There was a segment of hose in the road ditch adjacent to the equipment storage area, that needs to <br />be removed, and the ditch kept free of debris. <br />R Anew culvert Heads to be installed in the outside road ditch in accordance with the recent minor <br />revision approval, to allow occasional access for the power company to read the meter on the power <br />pole. <br />Hvdrolocic Balance <br />There was turbid flow in East Salt Creek, and a much smaller discharge of clear flow in McClane Creek, <br />at the time of the inspection. The flow in McClane Creek appeared to be largely or entirely from <br />permitted underground mine discharge, via the approved discharge location in the portal vicinity. <br />The rock fall that had impacted Culvert "F", on the cut slope above the shop building, had not yet been <br />addressed, due to the continuing muddy soil conditions on the steep slope. When ground conditions <br />allow for safely completing the task, the rock will need to be pulled off the slope and the culvert will need <br />to be replaced or repaired as necessary. <br />3 <br />