Laserfiche WebLink
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 <br />inspection and the facts or evidence supporting the enforcement action. <br />This was a complete inspection of the Coal Ridge Mine conducted by Erica Crosby of DMG. No <br />company representative was present during the inspection. The Coal Ridge Mine is in <br />reclamation only status. Weather conditions on site were sunny, warm and dry. <br />Records Mine records were inspected at the Garfield County Courthouse in Glenwood Springs. <br />The following items need to be filed in the courthouse; <br />- NPDES Permit expired 6/30/97. Need to file new permit in courthouse <br />- Inspection reports dated after 7/18/97 <br />- Midterm review material could not be located <br />Signs & Markers The Mine ID sign was posted as well as the DMG office location sign. <br />Information on the signs appeared accurate and up to date. <br />Roads The road leading into the Coal Ridge Mine was dry and in good repair. Vegetation is <br />becoming more established on the upper portion of the road. <br />Hvdroloaic Balance The sediment pond was dry on the east end and slightly muddy on the west <br />end. Spillways were in good repair. No irrigation water was being diverted to the sediment <br />pond during the inspection. Ditch #1 showed evidence of recent flow, and sediment has <br />accumulated in the lower grades of the ditch. The ditch remains functional, but should be <br />monitored for further sediment accumulation. The maintenance on the intersection between <br />ditchs #5 and #6 has yet to be repaired. It appears that the landowner is using ditch #5 to <br />divert irrigation water to the lower fields. The operator needs to propose a long term solution to <br />this problem by either constructing a new ditch to bipass the irrigation ditch, or designating the <br />area as a small area exemption (SAEI. It should be submitted as a revision to the permit, and the <br />ditch should be repaired until a new plan is in place. All remaining ditches and culverts were in <br />good repair. The silt fence by the mine entrance road is in good repair. <br />Backfilling & Grading The backfilling and grading at Portal #1 and Portal #2 appeared stable and <br />well vegetated. The terrace benches and slopes show no signs of instability. The dozer slots <br />were in good repair, and vegetation was fairly well established. There were no erosion features <br />noted on the backfilled areas. <br />Revegetation Vegetation on Portal #1 consisted of mainly alfalfa, wheatgrass and some patches <br />of Canadian thistle. Numerous large patches of mushrooms were noted along the slope. <br />Vegetation on Portal #2 consisted of mainly alfalfa, yellow sweetcloer, wheatgrass and some <br />sage. The terrace benches were dominated by alfalfa, and the side slopes by grasses and <br />shrubs. No cattle were noted on site and no erosion features were noted on site. <br />Stipulation #27 requires the operator to amend the irrigaiton hayland production standard. The <br />operator is currently working with the Natural Resource Conservation Service to help develop a <br />standard for the entire site. The due date for the stipulation response has been extended to <br />December 1, 1997. <br />