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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 />This was a complete inspection conducted by Kent Gorham of the Colorado Division of <br />Minerals and Geology (Division). This former mountaintop removal operation is now <br />reclaimed and has achieved a Phase I bond release for most areas. Ground conditions on <br />this day were dry and the weather was extremely windy and cold. Ron Thompson, <br />representing Lorencito Coal Company, accompanied me on the inspection. <br />Availability of Records <br />The public copy of the mine records was checked on November 30 at the office of Peak <br />Project Management (PPM). The contact, address, and phone number for PPM is Ron <br />Thompson, Peak Project Management, 34115 County Road 20.8, Trinidad, CO 81082, 719- <br />846-4975. The records should be updated with a current copy of the liability insurance <br />certificate as soon as possible. All other records were found in compliance as detailed on <br />page 2a of this report. <br />Roads <br />The second culvert ascending the Jeff Canyon haul road remains partially blocked with <br />sediment and will be cleaned when equipment is mobilized from the New Elk Mine in the <br />coming weeks. Any recent flows have passed without incident and flow in the near future is <br />unlikely due to winter conditions. <br />No additional work has been conducted on the reclaimed area to relocate the permanent <br />road through the disturbed area. The operator will submit a revision to the permit requesting <br />road relocation and re-alignment. This revision will allow for drainage control improvements <br />at the location of the current roadway, where frequent maintenance is commonplace. <br />Hydrologic Balance <br />Ponds around the site appeared stable and in good condition. All ponds held water but none <br />were discharging at the time of the inspection. <br />Revegetation <br />The growing season is over after an excellent year with more than adequate moisture <br />conditions over the bulk of the season. Revegetated areas are generally between one and <br />three years old. Perennial species should begin to dominate the revegetated areas in the <br />next few years. Areas seeded in June of last year did not show much growth, likely due to <br />the timing of seeding. These areas should be watched to ensure that seeded species <br />germinate next year. <br />3 <br />