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May 24, 2001 <br />Kerr Coal Company <br />2155 Resort Drive <br />P.O. Box 773457 <br />Steamboat Springs, CO 80477 <br />Marr Mine & Kerr Loadout Area <br />Phase I & II Bond Release Inspection <br />May 22, 2001 <br />Participants <br />Toone Crowner, Jackson County Commissioner Jim Stark, CO/DMG <br />George Patterson, Kerr Coal Company Chuck Cesaz, BLM <br />Jerry Nettelton, Montgomery Watson John Morrone, BLM <br />Sandy Brown, CO/DMG Henry Austin, OSM <br />I participated in this bond release inspection representing the Office of Surface Mining, <br />Denver Field Division. The above participants met at the mine office on May 22, 2001, <br />and Mr. Nettelton conducted a briefing that highlighted the release application contents <br />and also answered questions for the inspection participants. We then proceeded to inspect <br />three separate reclamation aeeas including the 720 Pit, Pit l,.and the Kerr Loadou[ Area <br />(former railroad siding / coal loading facility at Walden, CO). <br />The bond release application is dated September 6, 2000, and a subsequent submittal,to, <br />the Colorado Division of Minerals.and Geology..(DMG) that addresses.application . .. , <br />deficiencies identified by DMG is dated May 16, 2001..The May 16 submittal is currently <br />under, review by DMG and was proyjded to inspection participants. The Bureau of Lartd. <br />Management (BLM) was notified of.the inspection, and the above BLM participants <br />accompanied us during the inspection. According to Ms. Brown, the appropriate. <br />newspaper publication and.landowner notifications were made prior to the inspection. <br />No Public comments have been received.by DMG to date., <br />Weather and ground conditions"were dry during the inspection. We began at the <br />reclaimed 720 Pit area. We walked through portions,of the area making genera] <br />revegetation observations and we also tested topsoil replacement depths by digging holes <br />in several areas. Revegetation cover /species sampling done by Kerr Coal during 1999 <br />has been reviewed by DMG and is being reviewed by OSM. General observations <br />indicated both good cover and species diversity. Topsoil replacement depths appeared to <br />meet or exceed permit requirements as specified in the May 16 deficiency submittal. <br />Only minor erosion was noted in one azea that had been recently repaired by Kerr. <br />Protected /designated drainways observed were stable. The reclaimed highwall slopes <br />and contour furrows in this azea were stable. Permanent water impoundments have been <br />approved by DMG for Ponds A, B, D, and E. The remaining sedimentation ponds will be <br />removed and reclaimed after Phase II bond release approval. <br />