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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 /> General Comments <br /> This was a complete inspection of the Seneca II-W Mine, conducted by Dan Mathews of the DRMS Grand <br /> Junction office, accompanied by Dennis Jones, Seneca Coal Company(SCC) Hydrologist. Weather was clear <br /> and mild. There had been no new snowfall in several days, but significant, solid snow cover still remains <br /> throughout the mine area and the larger region of northwest Colorado. The only accessible portions of the mine <br /> permit at this time are the Tie Across Haul Road, the Mine Entrance Haul Road, and Haul Road "A" up to the <br /> dragline. In addition, the oil well operator has kept the Oil Well Access Road open up to the well site. <br /> The snow cover prevented access to most areas, and there has been no significant melt or reduction in snow <br /> cover since the previous inspection in early February. As noted in the previous report, the heavy snow cover will <br /> benefit recent seedings and plantings in the spring, but will also increase the potential for erosion and slope <br /> instability, particularly on steep slopes below areas of major drift accumulation. <br /> Availability of Records <br /> Records were checked at the mine office, and were found to be complete and up-to-date through the 4th quarter, <br /> 2007. <br /> Roads <br /> Only a few road travel surfaces have been maintained through the winter, as noted in the"General Comments" <br /> above. The Mine Entrance Road and Haul Road "A"surfaces were frozen at the time of the inspection (early <br /> morning), but operator reported that with the recent on-set of warmer days, saturated ground conditions cause <br /> the mine site roads to become difficult to impassable later in the day. <br /> Hydrologic Balance <br /> Sediment Pond 006 was the only sediment pond that could be accessed. The pond was iced over and snow <br /> covered, but was discharging over the top of the spillway riser. The discharge water was clear. Some bare <br /> patches were beginning to show on steep south facing slopes in the mine vicinity, but other slope exposures and <br /> valley areas remain under deep snow cover. There has been no significant initiation of snowmelt runoff. <br /> Fish and Wildlife <br /> A small group of elk was observed from the shop area bench, on the upper portion of the south facing"B" pit <br /> graded highwall area, where the snow cover was patchy and forage was accessible. <br /> 3 <br />