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Surface holes that had opened up as a result of the Wise Hill No. 3/Fiart Mine coal seam fire have been <br />backfilled, graded and mulched as a part of the CDMG-IML project. <br />Topsoil: <br />Topsoil replacement thickness was verified at the Portal No. 5 backfilled slope. Three randomly located holes <br />were dug from the surface to color or texture change, then the depth to the contact measured with a measuring <br />tape. Hole No. I was located towards the bottom of the slope, and topsoil thickness measured 13 inches to <br />contact zone. Hole No. 2 was located further up the slope and towards the south. This hole No. 2 measured > 1 i <br />inches with no texture change. The hole began at the top of a furrow. Hole No. 3 was midway up the slope but <br />towards the north side of the slope. This third hole measured 1 I.5 inches of topsoil thickness. The average of <br />the 3 holes is 13.8 inches. Only 6 inches of topsoil is required to be replaced in the Portal No. 5 facilities area. <br />Replaced topsoil thickness exceeds the permit requirement. Fertility analyses of the replaced topsoil was not <br />available at the time of the inspection. Permit commitment, page 2.05-25, states that replacement topsoil or best <br />available material will be analyses for nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. Please forward the topsoil fertility <br />results to the Division once this information is available. <br />Reve¢etation: SH ponds and Old Shop boneyard area that previously had Russian knapweed infestations had no <br />identifiable knapweed. Occasional patches of Whitetop (Cardaria draba) were observed throughout the mine <br />site. Weed control measures need to be implemented on these noxious species. Vegetation sampling for the <br />Pasture reference area should be conducted in the near future to clarify Pasture reclamation standards. HR-1 <br />pond had patches of Whitetop present that needs weed control measures. HR Topsoil pond continues to support a <br />dense stand of Whitetop. Weed control measures are needed on this topsoil pile. <br />Utah tract area was in excellent condition. Shrubs were frequent and appeazed healthy. Arcowleaf balsamroot <br />were plentiful and in bloom. No rilling was noted. Few Whitetop were observed in the Utah Tract area. <br />Fish and Wildlife: Pronghorn Antelope were observed through out the mine site. Ared-tailed hawk was nesting <br />in the Sandstone outcrop adjacent to the Portal No. 5 facilities area. <br />Subsidence: Aland owner of T6N R93 W Section 36, Mr. Brad Barker, called the Division on May l 1, 2004 <br />with a concern regarding subsidence over old workings on his property. Upon further discussion with Mr. Barker <br />on May 19, 2004, to locate these subsidence features on a map, Mr. Barker believed that these features were <br />mudslides and natural rockfall upon closer observation, and did not request an inspection regarding these <br />features. <br />Healed surface expression of subsidence could be observed in TSN R91 W section 5 over D seam Iongwall <br />panels. No problems were noted with these residual features. <br />General Mine Plan: Permitting action RN-04 remains under review. <br />Special Cate org ies: Exploration holes: A land owner of T6N R93 W Section 36 called the Division with concern <br />regarding unsealed drill holes on his property. The inspector met offsite with Mr. Barker on May 19, 2004. Mr. <br />Barker located two holes of concern on a map and provided GPS coordinates. A copy of this map is included in <br />this report. Mr. Barker did not ask that the Division's investigation into these two holes be conducted as a <br />Citizen's Request for Inspection in accordance with Rule 5.02.5. Mr. Barker was informed that the Division <br />would send him the results of its investigation and a copy of the inspection report. The two holes are located in <br />the NE '/a NE '/a Section 36 T6N R93 W. Mr. Barker had placed fence posts painted red adjacent to both holes to <br />aid in locating the holes. The holes are both S to 6 inches in diameter, uncased, and unsealed. The Division did <br />not have a cable to verify the depths of these two holes. Mr. Barker had measured the northern hole at 40 feet <br />deep and the southern hole at 57 feet deep. Mr. Barkers GPS coordinates were: <br />Northern hole (shaft ] on Mr. Barker's map) 40°26'01 "N, 107°39'36"W <br />Southern hole (shaft 2 on Mr. Barker's map) 40°25'50"N, 107°39'38"W <br />RAG-EC personnel had a GPS available. RAG-EC's coordinates correlated closely with Mr. Barkers. RAG- <br />EC's coordinates were: <br />