INSPEC42944

• Permit No: C1981012
• IBM Index Class Name: Inspection
• Doc Name: Inspection Report
• Inspection Date: 10/15/2003
• Media Type: D
• Archive: No

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 complete inspection conducted by Kent Gorham of the CDMG. This site is
temporarily inactive due to the shutdown of the sister operation Lorencito Canyon, #C-96-
084. Ron Thompson of Peak Project Management accompanied me during the inspection.
The weather was cool and breezy on this day and ground conditions were good.
Availability of Records
The public copy of the mine records is kept at the small office at the Tri-State railyard south
of Highway 12 on the west side of Trinidad. Initially, the insurance certificate located was
found expired. Prior to this inspection, NOV CV-2003 was issued on September 29, 2003 for
failure to provide to the Division proof of a valid public liability insurance policy in force for
this mine site. However, during the inspection, Mr. Thompson received by FAX an insurance
certificate indicating in force insurance coverage exceeding the dollar minimum required. The
certification clause will need to be updated as well as a change made to the insured to
Picketwire Processing, LLC rather than Lorencito Coal Company, LLC. All other required
records were found in compliance and up-to-date. The results of the records inspection can
be found on page 2a of this report.
Roads
Roads were generally found in good condition. Activities and traffic associated with removal
of the rail line that bisects the mine property has caused some minor damage to the road
surface in places. The surface of the access road to the refuse disposal area should also be
bladed at the next opportunity and culvert inlets under this road should be cleaned of
sediment deposition as needed to ensure proper future function.
Hydrologic Balance
The mine site has experienced one storm event of about .5 inches since the last inspection.
The adjacent Purgatoire River was flowing clear and flows slightly above normal were noted.
The water level in pond 7 was well below the lowest hole on the primary riser pipe. The
weir box should be cleaned of accumulated sediment and cattails to ensure an accurate
reading. The Division also reminds the operator that the sediment marker should be reset in
this pond as soon as possible. Pond 8 at the RDA held water about one foot below the crest
of the principle spillway drop inlet. Pond 4 at the development waste pile held a small puddle
of water in the southeast corner.
Containments at the West mine were found dry. Ditches along the Purgatoire River were
found in good condition.
Processing Waste
The 100-year ditch diverting water from above the refuse disposal area will require cleanout
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