INSPEC44449

• Permit No: C1992080
• IBM Index Class Name: Inspection
• Doc Name: Inspection Report
• Inspection Date: 8/14/2007
• 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 partial inspection of the Carbon Junction Coal Mine was conducted by DRMS staff from the
Durango Office, 701 Camino del Rio, Room 325, Durango, CO 81301, phone [phone]. The
inspection commenced on August 13, 2007, and was concluded on August 14, 2007. Eight photos
and a portion of a map accompany this report.
One enforcement action, NOV CV-2007-005, was issued as a result of the observations made during
the inspection and recorded in this report. NOV CV-2007-005 was issued for failure to minimize
disturbances to the prevailing hydrologic balance at the mine site and in associated off-site areas, and
failure to maintain one set of dual culverts in the East Collection Channel.
The location of the dual culverts and the East Collection Channel are shown on the enclosed map,
which is a portion of the Post Mining Topography map, dated August 6, 2006, submitted with TR-13.
On the original map, a portion of the East Collection Channel located within the Ewing Mesa Pit No. 1
permit area is labeled as the Carbon Junction Arroyo. The set of dual culverts in the East Collection
Channel are specifically located under an access road to Topsoil Stockpile 7. As illustrated in the
enclosed map and photos, the dual culverts had become sufficiently obstructed with sediment and
debris to result in an overflow of the East Collection Channel and subsequent escape of affected area
drainage from the sediment containment system. The East Collection Channel conveys upland
drainage and affected area drainage through the permit area to Sediment Pond 1. The East
Collection Channel, its associated culverts, and Sediment Pond 1 are part of the sediment
containment system.
According to permit documents, the East Collection Channel is designed to safely pass the 10 year,
24 hour precipitation event. The sediment control design of the East Collection Channel indicates that
the 10 year, 24 hour storm event would generate 2.25 inches of precipitation. The Division reviewed
weather data posted on three different web sites for La Plata County and proximal to the permit area.
The Division reviewed weather data from www.cocorahs.org, www.wunderground.com, and
www.weather.com, none of which recorded any precipitation events approaching 2.25 inches of
precipitation for the month of August and prior to the inspection. Therefore, the available data
indicates that the sediment containment system was overwhelmed by a precipitation event significantly
less than the sediment control design.
In its reports generated from the April 27, 2007 and June 1, 2007 inspections, the Division
recommended that the referenced set of culverts be cleaned of sediment to ensure continued function
in accordance with the sediment control design.
As shown on the enclosed portion of the Post Mining Topography map, dated August 6, 2006,
portions of the East Collection Channel are located within the permit boundary of the Ewing Mesa Pit
No. 1 and outside of the coal permit boundary. Additionally, the existing permit does not appear to
identify the set of dual culverts referenced in this report and subject of NOV CV-2007-005.
During the inspection no mining or reclamation activities were observed and no individuals were
contacted. The entrance gate was locked. Vegetative cover continues to improve for all reclaimed
areas. Sediment Pond 1 contained water at 2 inch depth, no discharge noted at the primary spillway.
Sediment Pond 2 was dry.