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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 />This was a partial inspection of the Southfield Ivline conducted by Sandy Brown and <br />Susan Burgmaier of DMG. Weather conditions were clear and dry. Ground conditions <br />were dry, as well. The mine is active, currently producing coal. <br />Siens and markers were observed to be in compliance at all areas inspected. Topsoil <br />stockpiles were identified, as well as disturbed area boundaries, and each entrance to the <br />permit area was marked by a mine identification sign. <br />Reclamation Success and Vegetation -There was a new strip of reclamation on the <br />refuse pile on which topsoil had been recently replaced. The replacement depth on the <br />pile was not verified during this inspection. The operator indicated the area would be <br />seeded this Fa11 or early Winter. Prior to seeding, the required cover and topsoil depths <br />should be verified by the operator if this has not yet been checked. <br />Vegetation at the loadout area still consists primarily of kochia. Small bunches of grasses <br />were observed, but grasses were not well distributed over the site. <br />Hydrology and Sediment Control - Ditches in the facilities azea were functional and in <br />good condition. The operator was constructing the ditch a[ the explosives azea which will <br />route water from the Newlin Creek Mine to the County Road. The ditch was completely <br />excavated, and rip rap placement was roughly 50% complete. The rip rap placed did not <br />appear to have an adequate size gradation to ensure stability of the channel, in that the <br />majority of the material was roughly 6" in diameter. If the ditch does not function well <br />under heavy flows (at design level), graded material may need to be added. <br />The small area exemptions at the rock dust tank, substation, Newlin Creek topsoil pile, <br />and at the explosives bunker were maintained and functioning as designed. The area <br />upgradient of the explosives area straw bales had been excavated, to remove sediment. <br />The excavation was excessively large, and should be backgraded to reduce the depth and <br />area of the sediment trap, as the current configuration will impound a considerable <br />amount of water. <br />All mine area sediment ponds held water, but none were being discharged; A delta of <br />sediment was building up in the refuse area pond (Pond 4), but it did not appear to be <br />compromising the capacity of the pond at this time. Water was present in both fresh <br />water holding ponds (Ponds 2 and 3). Both loadout area ponds were dry. <br />Roads -Road ditches to the refuse pile area were in good condition, and looked as though <br />they had been recently maintained. The operator had completed repairs to the <br />Monarch/South Fan road ditches and runout areas over the summer. The majority of the <br />