Laserfiche WebLink
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 Bear Mine conducted by Mike Boulay of the DMG on April <br />21, 1998. There was no operator present during the inspection. The weather was sunny and <br />cool. There was no snow cover on the ground at the time of the inspection. <br />Hydrologic Balance <br />The site pond contained water but was not dischazging. Site culverts and ditches appeared to be <br />in good condition and functioning properly. In previous inspections, it was noted that a portion <br />of the water emanating from the Edwards Portal Spring was not being fully captured by the 4 <br />inch flexible pipe that discharges the spring water to the North Fork of the Gunnison River. <br />Again, this appears to be the case. A significant portion of the spring water is bypassing the pipe <br />at the source of the spring. This water is flowing across the former coal pad area and into the <br />ditch north of the main entrance road. Please redirect the flow at the source of the spring to <br />ensure that the discharge is fully conveyed to the pipe. Also, please ensure that any discharge to <br />the North Fork of the Gunnison River is in full compliance with applicable water quality <br />standards. <br />The spring discharge was analyzed in the field for flow rate, pH, temperature, and conductivity. <br />The pI-Uconductivity meter was calibrated in the field immediately prior to taking measurements. <br />Measurements were made at two locations: 1) from the dischazge at the end of the pipe and 2) <br />from the immediate area of discharge neaz the east side of the slide mass. The results of these <br />measurements are presented below: <br />End of Pipe Dischazge -Flow= 33 gallons per minute, Temperature= 83 degrees Fahrenheit, pH= <br />6.53, Conductivity= 6,770 micromhos <br />Discharge Directly from Spring -flow not measured, temperature= 86 degrees Fahrenheit, <br />pH=6.27, conductivity= 6,770 micromhos <br />Slides and Damage <br />The slide that occurred on November 15, 1997 in the area west of the reclaimed Bear No. 3 Mine <br />portals was inspected. There does not appear to be any significant change in the slide mass since <br />the last inspection. No reclamation activities are being conducted around the base of the slide. <br />A new area of erosion and slumping has occurred east of the portal locations, between the upper <br />and lower portal access roads. This does not appear to be associated with the bigger slide mass. <br />