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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. This was a complete inspection of the New Horizon Mine for the month of May, 1997. The site continues to produce coal at its normal pace and has recently had an expansion of the permit area approved. AVAILABILITY OF RECORDS: Records were inspected and found to be complete and satisfactory. See page 5 of this report for more details. HYDROLOGIC BALANCE: Mine 1: Ponds 1 and 6 had water in them but only 1 was discharging as normal, all other ponds were dry. All ditches and culverts are functioning as designed. Mine 2: Pond 7 was under construction for the expansion area. At the time of the inspection, the primary and emergency culverts were being installed. Pond 7 was not discharging. All ditches and culverts are clear and capable of functioning as designed. BACKFILL & GRADING: B & G was in progress as is normal. The current area (27) was inspected with at least 3.5 feet of selected fill being laid down at the north end to over 6 feet at the south end of fill being laid down over the overburden. EXPLOSIVES: Records were complete, accurate, and up to date. TOPSOIL: The topsoiling for pit area 26 was almost complete, depths will be checked during the next complete inspection. RECLAMATION SUCCESS: The winter wheat cover crop is doing very well due to the irrigation practices. The switch grass that was so prevelent last year has been overtaken by legumes and wheat grass. The Rice Tract area is starting to green up and the area has significantly reduced the amount of weed cover. Pro's and con's about the new land owner converting the area to an irrigated alfalfa crop were discussed and will be relayed to the vegetation experts at the Division.