_INSPECTION - C1981038 (40) - Laserfiche WebLink

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