_INSPECTION - C1982057 (57) - 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. General Comments This was a complete inspection of the Seneca II-W Mine, conducted by Dan Mathews of the DRMS Grand Junction office, accompanied by Dennis Jones, Seneca Coal Company(SCC) Hydrologist. Weather was clear and mild. There had been no new snowfall in several days, but significant, solid snow cover still remains throughout the mine area and the larger region of northwest Colorado. The only accessible portions of the mine permit at this time are the Tie Across Haul Road, the Mine Entrance Haul Road, and Haul Road "A" up to the dragline. In addition, the oil well operator has kept the Oil Well Access Road open up to the well site. The snow cover prevented access to most areas, and there has been no significant melt or reduction in snow cover since the previous inspection in early February. As noted in the previous report, the heavy snow cover will benefit recent seedings and plantings in the spring, but will also increase the potential for erosion and slope instability, particularly on steep slopes below areas of major drift accumulation. Availability of Records Records were checked at the mine office, and were found to be complete and up-to-date through the 4th quarter, 2007. Roads Only a few road travel surfaces have been maintained through the winter, as noted in the"General Comments" above. The Mine Entrance Road and Haul Road "A"surfaces were frozen at the time of the inspection (early morning), but operator reported that with the recent on-set of warmer days, saturated ground conditions cause the mine site roads to become difficult to impassable later in the day. Hydrologic Balance Sediment Pond 006 was the only sediment pond that could be accessed. The pond was iced over and snow covered, but was discharging over the top of the spillway riser. The discharge water was clear. Some bare patches were beginning to show on steep south facing slopes in the mine vicinity, but other slope exposures and valley areas remain under deep snow cover. There has been no significant initiation of snowmelt runoff. Fish and Wildlife A small group of elk was observed from the shop area bench, on the upper portion of the south facing"B" pit graded highwall area, where the snow cover was patchy and forage was accessible. 3