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fnvc~nv - _t <br />STATE Or= COL ORgr)O AIfHAan D, LAMM. III 1111111111111111 <br />DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES <br />D. Monte Pascoe, Executive Director 999 <br />MLNEU LAND RECLAMATION <br />423 Centennial Building, 1373 Sherman Street <br />Denver, Coloratlo 80203 Tel. (303) 839-3567 <br />David C. Shelton <br />Director <br />TD: Jim Herron <br />FROM: Jim Pendleton <br />RE: Site Visitation - Orchard Valley Underground Coal Mine <br />As a result of our visit with Keith Kirk of the OSM to Colorado West- <br />moreland's Orchard Valley coal Mine near Paonia on April 23, 1981, I <br />forward the following observations: <br />(1) As I had suspected, the site does contain a Large fan form. <br />Approximately 50~ of the disturbed area of the mine's surface <br />facility benches appears to be founded on a landslide/debris fan. <br />This form appeared relatively stable and evidenced no immediate <br />hazard. However, the form should be properly analyzed for stability <br />as a portion of the .stability analysis required for Orchard Valley's <br />reclaimed configuration. <br />(2) The proposed permanent diversion ditch evidenced slide problems <br />at numerous locations throughout its length. Both bedrock and fan/colluvial <br />materials were evidencing problems. Obviously, the ditch, in its <br />current configuration, is inappropriate as a permanent proposed <br />diversion feature. <br />(3) As your earlier inspection reports have observed, the waste pile <br />has been improperly prepared. Topsoil and organic material was obviously <br />covered by waste material, <br />(9) She waste pile site does occupy the same fan/landslide form as <br />thg upslope surface facilities and should be the subject of a thorough <br />stability analysis, including an appraisal of the fan's foundation <br />stability. <br />/k <br />CC: F. Banta <br />April 29, 1981 <br />