_INSPECTION - C1981008 (30) - Laserfiche WebLink

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M. COMMENTS-COMPLIANCE Below are comments on the inspection. The comments include discussion of observations made during the inspection. Comments also describe any enforcement actions taken during the inspection and the facts or evidence supporting the enforcement action. This was a complete inspection of the New Horizon Mine conducted on September 12, 2007 by Mike Boulay of the DRMS. Ross Gubka of Western Fuels-Colorado (WFC) was present during the entire inspection. Weather conditions were cloudy and cool. Ground conditions at the mine site were mostly snow covered from a significant storm that passed through the area prior to this inspection. Coal was being hauled from the mine at the time of the inspection. Cattle were seen in the southeast portion of the mine area. Availability of Records All required records were on site and available for review. Please see the attached records checklist at the end of this inspection report. Signs and Markers Mine identification signs were properly displayed at mine site entrances. Topsoil markers and permit boundary markers were in place where required. Roads Despite the significant snow cover, most areas of the mine site were accessible. Some locations had to be walked. Haul roads were clear of snow cover and appeared well maintained and in good condition. Most of the access roads had not been plowed and had melting snow and were muddy. Hydrologic Balance Sedimentation Ponds 007, 008, 009, 012, and 014 were inspected. Pond 007 was the only pond discharging at the time of the inspection. As requested by DRMS (see inspection reports dated 9/25/07 and 10/17/07), WFC repaired rills and re-graded the side slopes and embankment areas of Ponds 009 and 012 since the time of the last inspection. The repair work at both of these ponds looked very good and the pond embankment and side slopes appeared stable. Please ensure that these repaired locations at Ponds 009 and 012 are seeded this fall. Photographs of Ponds 009 and 012 are shown at the end of this inspection report. There were no problems noted at any of the above mentioned pond locations. Construction of two new sediment ponds (Ponds 011 and 013) was started and completed since the last on-site inspection was conducted in October 2007. Photographs of these new ponds are shown at the end of this inspection report. These two new ponds were also inspected at this time. Some differences were noted at both new pond locations between the approved designs and the