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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 />determination. The road provides access to BLM lands, and BLM had specifically requested retention of <br />the concrete dip-section crossing and installation of the wing-walls. <br />The following sections of the inspection report contain certain requests for submittal of bond release <br />application and permit amendments. Informational requests are in bold print. Requested information <br />should be provided as soon as possible, to allow us to proceed with issuance of a proposed decision. <br />General Bond Release Inspection Considerations <br />Pursuant to Rule 3.03.2(2), and in accordance with [he Guideline Regarding Selected Coa! Mine Bond <br />Release /ssues, the Division considers the following items during any bond release inspection evaluation: <br />(l) Results of past monthly inspections--- <br />In the case of Roadside Mine, the Division has issued only one enforcement actionfor an "on-the ground" <br />problem since active mining operations ceased in December, 1999. This was NOV CV-2000-001 which <br />was issued February I I, 2000, for piping erosion that developed in the embankment of Sediment Pond 4, a[ <br />the North Portals Coal Handling Area. The embankment was properly re-constructed, and the NOV abated <br />and terminated within required time frames. Two enforcement actions have been taken by the Division <br />during the past year, based on the fmancial status of Frontier Insurance Company, issuer of a $2,603,016.00 <br />corporate surety bond held by the Division. These enforcement actions were upheld by the Mined Land <br />Reclamation Board, but remain subject to judicial appeal. Review of past monthly inspections indicates <br />that required envvonmental monitoring and site maintenance activities have been conducted th compliance <br />with permit and regulatory requirements, and reclamation to date has been conducted in accordance with <br />the permit specified reclamation schedule. <br />(2) Surface and ground water monitoring data, and whether pollution of surface or subsurface water is <br />occurring, the probability of such future pollution and the estimated cost to abate pollution--- <br />Ten sedimentation ponds are in place at the mine to treat disturbed area run-off, and are authorized under <br />the operator's CDPS discharge permit issued by the Water Quality Control Division. The ponds discharge <br />very infrequently, and discharges which have occurred during recent permit terms have been in compliance <br />with applicable discharge standards. There are two active mine-water discharge locations (001 and 002) <br />authorized under the CDPS permit and the DMG permit, which are regularly monitored for compliance <br />with [he CDPS permit and to demonstrate conformance with probable hydrologic consequences (PHC) <br />projections requved by the DMG permit. Discharge Site 002 is the main point of discharge for water that <br />accumulates in the South Mine workings. DMG has identified concerns with regard to the suitability of the <br />dewatering mechanism (a siphon system) at this location (thebackfilled Northwest Intake Portal) for the <br />long-term post mine situation. The approved permit contains plans for installation of gravitydrain pipe in <br />the vicinity of [he North Decline reclaimed area, that will replace the siphon as the primary point of <br />discharge. To date, quality of discharge water has been in compliance with CDPS permit limits and in <br />conformance with PHC projections, and it is expected that furore long term quantity and quality of <br />discharge will remain within the range observed to dale. A thud mine-water discharge site (004) was <br />active at the North Portal mine, until the mine ceased operation and the pumps were shut down in <br />December 1999. During active mining operations in the late 1990's, the Division had issued several <br />