Laserfiche WebLink
III. 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 /> This was a complete inspection conducted by Marcia Talvitie and Joe Dudash of the Colorado <br /> DBMS. No one represented the operator, Bowie Resources, LLC, during the field inspection; Basil <br /> Bear was present at the records inspection. <br /> Loadout Facilities <br /> All three entrance gates to the loadout were open, with Mine ID signs posted at each. Roads <br /> were generally muddy due to recent rapid snowmelt. Water was also ponded on the surface in <br /> low-lying areas of the former silo and conveyor portion of the property. Numerous empty coal <br /> cars were stored on the railroad spur. Miscellaneous materials are stored at the site, including <br /> bulk fuel storage tanks, which the operator stated are empty. Empty tanks should be tagged, <br /> and identified as not being in service. There was no activity at the site. <br /> The northern sediment pond, which is the permitted outfall for the site, contained a small <br /> amount of snow which had not yet melted, but no water. The small sediment pond at the <br /> corner of the Coal Stockpile area did contain water and was covered with ice. The operator <br /> stated that he would soon be dewatering this pond into the ditch that drains to the north. <br /> West Mine <br /> The road to the West Mine had not yet been cleared of snow. Viewed from a distance, the <br /> reclaimed slope of the West Mine appeared to be stable. Ponds W-1 and W-2 could not be <br /> seen from our vantage point. <br /> Well Field <br /> The access road into the well area had been plowed and cleared, although the site was still <br /> covered in one to two feet of snow. Signs were observed marking both the topsoil stockpile and <br /> the buried water pipeline that runs southeast to the East Mine. <br /> Run-of-Mine Coal Stockpile Area <br /> The pile was still snow-covered, but a bulldozer was at work clearing the snow in order to allow <br /> access for an excavator. The operator informed us that the excavator will be pot-holing the <br /> stockpile to determine the thickness of coal that exists, in order to calculate the amount of <br /> material that will be transported to the West Ridge Waste Pile at the East Mine. <br /> East Mine <br /> The road was plowed clear of snow to the former crushing and screening bench, and was <br /> passable by vehicle nearly to the portal bench. Higher elevations of the permit area were still <br /> snow-covered, but south-facing slopes were clear. <br /> Broken concrete could be seen protruding through the snow at the upper benches. The <br /> reclamation contractor, Con-Sy, had begun mobilizing to the site, although no activity had <br /> commenced. <br /> The roads to Ponds 1-4 were still snow-covered, preventing access. These ponds were not <br /> inspected. <br />