INSPEC40006 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

t American Shield Coal Co. Forfeiture, operated by the Division of Minerals and Geology Fniita Mine C-015-81 Partial oversight inspection, special focus 3/25/2005 Mitch Rollings, OSM Dan Mathews, DMG This partial inspection was conducted as part of the oversight special focus review to identify off-site impacts associated with mines where the bond has been forfeited. The reclamation bond that was forfeited by this operation was depleted in 2000 with the work that was done to stabilize and build a channel down the coal refuse pile. There were no off-site impacts observed from this operation. The disturbance consists of a reclaimed access road that cuts up the west side of a small canyon, the reclaimed portal locations in the center' of the canyon, a reclaimed coal refuse pile from the portal level to the bottom of the canyon, and a sedimentation pond at the outlet of the canyon. The road has been reclaimed to a roughened condition by a track hoe. Revegetation efforts have been fairly successful with a diverse stand of grasses, forbs, and shrubs. There was a single set of 4x4 tracks, but the road doesn't appear to have been used with any regularity because vegetation has not been negatively impacted. The portal location also appears to have a fairly successful stand of diverse vegetation. A drainage channel cuts through the middle of the pad to safely move the runoff from up- canyon across the disturbed area. The refuse pile vegetation has not been as successful as the rest of the area, most notably, shrubs. It is a steep, south facing slope with dark soils. The drainage channel bisects the face of this refuse pile. The operator who repaired the gully on this face in 2000 did an excellent job of placing riprap in the channel and the rock has locked in well. A small gully has formed at the end of the riprap and extends for approximately 40 yards. The grade lessens and the gully ends at this point. DMG doesn't have anymore reclamation money for this site from its reclamation bond, but the gully should reach bedrock shortly, stabilize, and remain fairly small. All drainage from the disturbed area goes to an operating sedimentation pond with the exception of one small slope. No off-site impacts were observed.