INSPEC46339

• Permit No: C1984067
• IBM Index Class Name: Inspection
• Doc Date: 12/31/1996
• Doc Name: COAL INSPECTION REPORT
• Inspection Date: 12/17/1996
• 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 Coal Gulch Mine was conducted by Wally Erickson from
the DMG field office in Durango, 484 Turner Drive, Building F, Suite 101, Durango, CO
81301, phone [phone]. The permit for the Coal Gulch Mine was revoked over
5 years ago. Financial warranty was forfeited and utilized for final reclamation.
Intermittent snow cover obscured approximately 25% of the permit area. Snow depth
ranged from 0" to 6". Four mule deer were observed passing through the permit area.
Mule deer appeared to be feeding on reclamation vegetation. Elk scat was observed
within the permit area. DMG inspector did not observe any human activity at the mine
during the time of this inspection.
Mine identification sign was posted at mine entrance. Public access to permit area is
controlled by locked cable and fence along Hwy 160. Portions of the permit area,
adjacent to Hwy 160, are being utilized by Fire Hawk Contractors, Inc., as a stockpile
area for soil, material and debris. Stockpiled debris included a smoldering pile of
vegetative material approximately 10' tall, 20' diameter. One concrete reinforced
culvert, 24" diameter and approximately 30' long, was observed along the fence
bordering Hwy 160. Stockpile of soil material was located approximately 100' inside
entrance gate. Recently excavated trench was located along north and east sides of soil
and debris stockpile area. Water was observed seeping from subsurface into trench.
Access road was snow covered and appeared to terminate at stockpile area utilized by
Fire Hawk Contractors, Inc. Access road appeared well maintained.
Sediment pond was holding water. Water depth was estimated at + 12", elevation of
ice appeared to be 18" below inlet of primary spillway. Primary spillway inlet was clear
of sediment and debris. Discharge from the outlet of primary spillway (12" CMP) is
conveyed down the embankment outslope through wood constructed drop structure.
Drop structure was intact, no significant erosion was observed in the embankment
outslope below the outlet of primary spillway. Primary spillway outlet was clear of
sediment and debris, no discharge noted. Secondary spillway is open channel, poorly
protected by decomposing sandstone and shale riprap. Evidence of minor erosion was
observed in lower portion of secondary spillway, minor erosion did not appear active.
Sediment pond embankment inslope and outslope appeared stable. Inslopes of sediment
pond appeared stable. Small depression, located in east portion of permit area, was
holding minor amount of water. Impounded water appeared to be 3" deep.
Backfilled and graded areas appeared stable