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Y <br /> Ill. COMMENTS -COMPLIANCE <br /> Below are comments on the inspection. The comments include discussion of observations made <br /> during the inspection. Comments also describe any enforcement actions taken during the inspection <br /> and the facts or evidence supporting the enforcement action. <br /> General Comments <br /> This was a partial inspection of the mine surface facility areas. One purpose of the inspection was to observe <br /> the site of the planned coal mine waste disposal area and related facilities (ditches, sediment pond, topsoil and <br /> cover soil stockpiles), proposed in TR-16, which is currently under review. The project would entail <br /> approximately 4.75 acres of additional surface disturbance, including some new disturbance along the steep <br /> juniper woodland slope to the south of the existing soil stockpiles, as well as additional disturbance to the <br /> sagebrush/greasewood flats extending southwest from the existing stockpiles, to the vicinity of the confluence of <br /> McClane Creek and East Salt Creek. Two representatives from the BLM Grand Junction Field Office(Scott <br /> Gerwe and Janny Choy) participated in this part of the inspection, as did Jim Stover, engineering consultant to <br /> the operator, in addition to Mike Boulay and myself, from the Division's Grand Junction office. <br /> In addition to the TR-16 proposed permanent waste disposal site, the BLM representatives needed to see the <br /> existing sediment storage area adjacent to the sediment pond, which is being used for temporary storage of coal <br /> mine waste until the permanent disposal site is approved. The temporary storage pile is filled to capacity, and <br /> the Division had recently approved Minor Revision No. 44 to allow for a 0.1 acre expansion of disturbed area <br /> associated with the temporary storage pile. Operator is awaiting BLM authorization before implementing the <br /> storage area expansion. Scott Gerwe said that he thought a BLM letter of concurrence would be issued within a <br /> week for MR-44; BLM may require the operator to obtain a wood harvest permit, as the approved expansion will <br /> require the removal of approximately 25 juniper trees. <br /> Weather was clear and cool, non traffic areas were under a solid 6"to 12"snow cover, which made detailed <br /> observations difficult. <br /> Following the joint BLM/DRMS inspection of the sediment drying area and proposed TR-16 disturbance area, <br /> Mike Boulay and I continued our inspection of remaining facility areas at the mine. The coal conveyor and <br /> crusher at the portal area was not operating during the inspection, but trucks were being loaded out from the <br /> stockpile in the coal storage area. Mike will be assuming lead inspection and review responsibilities for the mine <br /> in February. <br /> Signs and Markers <br /> The sign had been replaced as requested since the previous site inspection; McClane Canyon Mining LLC is <br /> now correctly listed as the permittee. <br /> Roads and Hydrologic Balance <br /> Ditches were snowed in and culvert inlet sumps iced over in various locations. Diversion culverts in the portal <br /> area appeared to be properly functional. The sediment pond was iced over and snow covered. Maintenance of <br /> road ditches will be warranted as thaw progresses, to ensure that melt water is properly routed to and along the <br /> ditches. SAE silt fences and berms appeared to be intact and functional, although deep snow in some areas <br /> made detailed observations difficult. <br /> 3 <br />