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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 />In TR-45, currently under review, the operator has proposed to eliminate the designed <br />permanent drainage channel 006-SE1, which is depicted on current PMT Exhibit 20-2, <br />along the base of the reclaimed final highwall in the southwest portion of the `A" Pit <br />mining area. During the inspection, a significant flow (30 to 40 gpm) was observed in <br />the spoil drainage feature roughly corresponding to the 006-SE1 channel location. The <br />existing drainage profile includes a series of relatively flat segments separated by <br />segments of markedly steeper gradient. The steep segments had been severely eroded. <br />By walking the drainage for a considerable distance it was determined that much of the <br />flow had originated from the 006-S1 watershed, which drains a large area upstream of <br />the "A" Pit disturbance. <br />In the final drainage configuration, the 006-S1 drainage will tie into 006 Gulch, which <br />will eliminate a significant component of the flow observed in the 006-SE1 spoil <br />drainage. However, the 006-SE1 drainage area may still be of sufficient size as to <br />warrant construction of a designed permanent channel. Even if a grassed Swale feature <br />is demonstrated to be appropriate in lieu of a constructed channel, the current profile <br />with the numerous nick points would not be geomorphically stable, and will need to be <br />significantly modified. The Division will address these concerns within the TR-45 <br />adequacy review, and will request appropriate hydrologic evaluation and <br />demonstrations, and appropriate profile for the 006-SE1 drainage feature. <br />Q Rill and gully repairs necessary to comply with NOV CV-2003-014 final abatement <br />requirements had been initiated within the last week, as soon as ground conditions had <br />permitted. The initial project was elimination of the old contour ditches that had <br />contributed to hillslope gully erosion in the upper "A" Pit revegetated areas, and <br />significant progress in this regard had been made prior to the inspection. <br />Support Facilities <br />A drill site adjacent to the northeast corner of Topsoil Stockpile AAA was observed during <br />the inspection. This was Drill Site 10, associated with the 2003 drilling program conducted <br />within the permit area to facilitate planning for highwall mining. The site was properly <br />bermed and the mud pit was in place. The hole needs to be plugged, and the site properly <br />graded, topsoiled, seeded and silt fenced. All of the 2003 drill sites need to be reclaimed <br />this year. <br />To soil <br />Topsoil Pile QQ near Sediment Pond 5 was used up last year, and the pile footprint was <br />broadcast seeded last fall. Seeded vegetation has recently germinated. <br />Topsoil Pile JJ on the ridge north of the "D" Pit final highwall was also used up during <br />the 2003 reclamation project. The footprint of the stockpile still needs to be ripped and <br />seeded. <br />9 <br />