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.. = <br />Information to be Collected During Waste Banks Field Reviews <br />(Draft 2/27/97) <br />Backeround <br />The Agreement specifies the following measurement categories: I) operator inspections, 2) <br />construction and maintenance of water control structures, and 3) waste bank construction <br />requirements. <br />Section 4.10.2 of the Colorado Rules specifies inspection requirements for coal mine waste banks. <br />In addition to the inspection requirements of Section 4.09.10 l), mine operators are required to <br />increase the number of inspections and prepaze remedial plans if needed to ensure public health <br />and safety. Under these rules, mine operators are required to conduct inspections at least <br />quarterly, beginning within 7 days of the commencement of site prepazation (Rule 4.10.2(2)(a)), <br />and during the following times of construction (Rule 4.09.1(11)(a)): 1) removal of topsoil and <br />other organic material, 2) placement of underdrainage system, 3) installation of surface drainage <br />system, 4) placement and compaction of fill material, and 5) vegetation reestablishment. Certified <br />inspection reports must be submitted to DMG within two weeks of each inspection. Furthermore, <br />the construction of the underdrain system must be documented with color photographs. Reports <br />must include a description of any hazardous conditions observed during a given inspection. <br />Water control is needed to ensure that no runoff from outside the disposal area flows onto the fill <br />structure, underground water is drained from within the waste banks, and no excessive surface <br />erosion is occurring on the structure surface. Because the Agreement is based on the assumption <br />that permits contain designs that ensure adequate water control measures, designs will not be <br />evaluated. Instead, the technical review team will verify that no significant deviations from [he <br />designs given in the permit are occurring at the time of the site visits. Surface flow patterns will be <br />compazed to the approved grading plan. In addition to verifying compliance with the inspection- <br />reporting requirements discussed above, fill structures will be checked to ensure that the approved <br />underdrainage system is being constructed. Excessive surface erosion will be concluded whenever <br />the erosion is likely to lead to the transport of the fill material off the disturbed area. <br />The third measurement category will be evaluated by spot checking various construction details to <br />determine compliance with design requirements. DMG will take the lead in identifying the <br />construction details that will be checked during field reviews and developing a method to <br />ascertain compliance. <br />Note: Although not specifically mentioned in the Agreement, the OSM Tech Team would <br />welcome any opportunity to visit sites where waste banks have existed for varying lengths <br />of time to see how well these structures are performing. <br />