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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 partial inspection of the Yoast Mine conducted by Erica Crosby of DMG. Mike Altavilla and Gary Wendt of Seneca Coal Company were present during the inspection. The Yoast Mine status is active, and mining is currently taking place in the Pit. The dragline was actively removing spoil from the pit and a number of benches have been constructed to accommodate blasting. Weather conditions on site were clear and warm. Ground conditions were dry. Roads Haul Roads A and B were generally in good repair. The portion of haul road B that enters the pit, along Annand Draw, should be reshaped and seeded to ensure long term stability. Silt fences have been installed on both sides of culvert YB-6, per NOV C-97-004, but needs to be properly keyed in place. Rock has also been placed on the YA-6 road downdrain in accordance with NOV C-97-004, Hydrologic Balance Pond 010 contained water. The pond embankment appeared stable. Diversion ditch #2 was inspected per technical revision 07. This ditch routes disturbed water from the facilities' area to sediment pond 010. The ditch slopes range from 0.2% to 1.7%. The overall grade of the ditch is roughly 0.5%. The operator proposes very steep slopes for the ditch, from 0.40h:1v to 2.3h:1v. The ditch depth ranges from 3 feet to 7 feet and top with is nearly 10 feet. Steep side slopes of the ditch will require continual maintenance and most likely not be stable. The operator should modify the ditch side slope dimensions to ensure stability. The designs in TR-07 should also be modified. Backfilling & Grading The operator has completed the drainage reconstruction along Routt County Road 27 (RCR 271, Per NOV C-97-004. The overall grade of the ditch is 4%. The diversion was seeded and then lined with the erosion control blanket. The fill slopes are 5h:1 v, as specified in TR-05. The dragline drainage route has been completely backfilled and graded. All temporary roads have been blended into the surrounding terrain, and topsoil has been replaced. The drainage channel has been reshaped, but the rock lining has yet to be installed. The operator should install the lining and rock while ground conditions remain favorable. Topsoil Topsoil was being stripped in advance of the pit, up to the ridge line of Pond 010 watershed. This will allow Seneca to mine through 1998. The topsoil was being placed in topsoil pile E. Topsoil has also been added to topsoil pile A.