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3 <br />1. Introduction <br />This document is prepared in support of the Declaration of David Berry, Coal program <br />Supervisor, Division of Minerals and Geology (DMG), Department of Natural Resources, State <br />of Colorado dated November 24, 2000 (Declaration). The Declaration discusses various <br />conditions at the Powderhom Coal Company Roadside Mine, located approximately sixteen <br />miles east of Grand Junction, Colorado. The mine permit area includes 10,1 l4 acres, and the <br />area straddles the Colorado River. Portions of the mine are also located immediately adjacent to <br />Interstate 70. This site is largely unreclaimed, and the site covers approximately 245 acres of <br />disturbed area. <br /> Roadside Mine ~~ _, ~~ ,- ~~ <br /> L A ~ ^ S : ~- <br /> -" x _., <br /> Colorado River `- <br /> .. Interstate 70 <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> - <br />r ~ <br />. fl.. ; . <br />; i;~ ~ <br />w <br />- ~-~~- ~ : -1 <br /> ~ <br /> <br /> <br /> ..~__ - --ter _ <br />: ~i' <br />, <br />I <br />~~ ~~1 _r- ~ <br />.fx,< - . <br />'~_.. <br />.__ J~ wuwnK Ne~b <br />David Berry has inspected the Roadside Mine various times over the last few years. The last <br />inspection conducted by David Berry occurred on September 8, 2000. <br />Il. Site Hazard Conditions <br />i. Potential Northwest Intake Portal Discharge and Backfill Failure - <br />There exists a significant potential that the backfilled Northwest Intake Portal may <br />become saturated to the point that a catastrophe failure occurs. This portal location is <br />within a few feet of Interstate 70. The portal backfill houses two 4" siphon drain pipes, <br />which connect to one 6" drain pipe. This drain system functions with a valved siphon <br />and is used to maintain the water level in the underground mine at an elevation below the <br />floor of the backfilled Northwest Intake Portal. The siphon system requires both <br />monitoring and maintenance to ensure that the siphon does not break. <br />