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Memo to McCaaaon <br />Tatum Residence Inspection <br />page 4 <br />Bxamiaatioa of the Surrounding Area <br />I examined the pastures surrounding the structure for any <br />discernable artifacts of subsidence, hydrocompaction or swelling <br />soils. I found no obvious symptoms. I also examined the railroad <br />right-of-way which runs east-west, approximately 400 feet south of <br />the Tatum structure. The mine workings have undermined portions of <br />the railroad right-of-way. The rails are straight and level. No <br />vertical or horizontal distortions could be detected with the naked <br />eye. A concrete box ditch headgate structure adjacent to the <br />right-of-way, while weathered, was untracked and level. <br />Several springs, which have been diverted to fill stock watering <br />tanks, are effluent along the edge of the terrace which the Tatum's <br />house occupies. One spring, approximately 550 feet from the house <br />was dry. The other spring, approximately 200 feet from the house, <br />was running, resulting in a large swampy area adjacent to a full to <br />overflowing stock watering trough. I visually estimate that this <br />spring's effluent point is several feet higher in elevation than <br />the water level in the basement sump of the Tatums residence. <br />Conclusions <br />I offer several preliminary conclusions based upon the above <br />observations <br />(1) The Tatum residence is experiencing significant structural <br />deterioration. At some point the level of distress could <br />represent a safety hazard. It would be prudent for the <br />Tatum's to obtain the professional services of an <br />architectural engineer or structural engineer to ascertain the <br />degree of deterioration of the structure, and to develop and <br />implement an appropriate rehabilitation program. <br />(2) I do not have sufficient expertise or data to determine <br />specifically what phenomena is causing the deterioration of <br />the Tatum's residence. My limited observations allow me to <br />deduce the apparent character of the distress movements. <br />Simplistically stated, the exterior walls are rotating out at <br />their tops. This is consistent with the perimeter of the <br />structure moving downward in relation to the center of the <br />structure . <br />(3) However, I do have sufficient evidence to conclude that mine <br />subsidence is not the cause of the Tatum residence's observed <br />structural symptoms. Ground subsidence due to mining is a <br />relatively drastic and disruptive phenomena. Further, mine <br />