Laserfiche WebLink
III. OBSERVATIONS AND FINDINGS <br />The following discussion of observations and findings focuses on the reclamation site of the temporary <br />irrigation pipeline for which bond release was requested. Reclamation of the pipe line was performed in <br />2007. <br />A Phase I bond release inspection of the relocated CC Ditch pipe line at the New Horizon Mine was <br />conducted on July 11, 2007 by Mike Boulay of the Division of Reclamation, Mining, and Safety <br />(Division). Mr. Ross Gubka Chief Engineer for Western Fuels-Colorado (WFC) and Mr. Zene <br />Weimer, President and Mr. Dean Naslund, Superintendent of Colorado Cooperative Ditch Company <br />accompanied the Division during the inspection. None of the land owners of record attended the <br />inspection; however, all land owners were notified of the inspection via certified mail. Weather <br />conditions were sunny and hot, and ground conditions were dry. <br />The primary Focus of this inspection was a Phase I bond liability release request with respect to the <br />reclamation of the temporary corridor of the Colorado Cooperative Ditch Company pipe line within <br />the New Horizon Mine permit azea. WFC mined through the CC Ditch Company's original ditch <br />location that conveyed irrigation water across a portion of the permit azea. Prior to doing that, they <br />constructed a temporary above-ground pipe line to convey the irrigation water. After mining in this <br />location was completed, WFC relocated the temporary above ground pipe line by burying it in its <br />permanent location. <br />This bond release inspection was conducted pursuant to WFC's Bond Release Application (SL-10) <br />submitted May 15, 2007. During the inspection, the reclaimed location of the temporary above- <br />ground irrigation pipe line was inspected. The temporary pipe line was used for conveying irrigation <br />water from the West Lateral Canal across a portion of the permit area and then continued due west of <br />2700 Road to the south of the permit boundary. The total length of the temporary pipe line within the <br />permit boundary was estimated to be 4,270 feet. <br />The reclamation work for the relocation of the pipe line was limited to removing the pipe line from <br />the existing location and relocating i[ by burying it in the right of way due west of BB Detour. The <br />buried pipe line portion of the ditch is a permanent structure which will not interfere with any post- <br />reclamation land uses. Representatives of the Colorado Cooperative Ditch Company participated in the <br />bond release inspection and they aze satisfied with the permanent relocation of the pipeline. The location <br />of the permanent pipe line is shown in Photograph Number 1 at the end of this inspection report. The <br />number of acres reclaimed during the relocation process has been estimated at 5.0 acres. The <br />reclamation work was completed by March 30, 2007 as per the approved reclamation plan in the mine <br />permit. <br />Based on the bond release inspection, it was determined that the entire length of the temporary <br />pipeline corridor has been successfully reclaimed. The pipe was removed from above ground and <br />reutilized by burying underground in its now permanent location. Some sections of pipe that were not <br />used remain at the site along the BB Detour but will be removed from the mine site by Colorado <br />Cooperative Ditch Company and used elsewhere. The azea of the former temporary pipe line from <br />the point of beginning south to BB Road is in dry land pasture. Photo No. 2 shows the location of <br />6 <br />