_INSPECTION - C1981041 ‎(38)‎

• Permit No: C1981041
• IBM Index Class Name: INSPECTION
• Doc Name: Inspection Report
• Inspection Date: 3/19/2008
• Email Name: SB1
• Media Type: D
• Archive: No

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.
French drain installation in the immediate highwall backfill area at the South Portal was previously completed,
and appears to be functioning properly in draining away seep flows that originate in the vicinity of the backfilled
portal openings. Discharge from the French drain is evident at the culvert outlet below Road 1A, into the
RSRDA North Side Collection Ditch. The discharge is a pulsed flow, approximately 5gpm or less. The 001
discharge dewatering pipe (which extends out through the highwall backfill) had recently been sealed with
pumped concrete grout, pursuant to the approved plan. Unfortunately, the grout did not completely plug the
pipe;there was a flow estimated at 1-2 gpm out of the sealed pipe at the time of my inspection. Presently, the
flow from the 001 discharge pipe is drained away from the highwall backfill via the French Drain, and the 001
leakage makes up a portion of the small flow into Pond 8. A remedial plan to permanently plug the
discharge pipe will need to be submitted within a technical revision application by May 1, 2008.
The 016 mine discharge site near the North Decline area, was flowing at approximately 280 gpm (typical), flow
was clear.
Backfilling and Gradinq
The various backfilled and graded areas were walked, and in general slopes appeared to be stable, with no
excessive erosion, slumping, or other indications of instability.
The operator had recently repaired two small "sink hole"type features at the North Portal reclaimed area,
overlying the backfilled portal decline. Operator reported the holes to have been 6 to 8 feet deep, apparently
caused by soil settling in the vicinity of a couple of buried boulders. The boulders were excavated and the
openings filled in and compacted. A similar feature had developed, and had been similarly repaired, in the
central portion of the"floor"of the CBA-2 soil borrow area. The old "Pre-Law" Cameo mine workings extend
beneath the borrow location, and it is possible that the opening was caused by subsidence associated with the
pre-law workings. These locations will need to be checked periodically during the liability period. Areas
disturbed by repair activity will need to be seeded, and the fence that was taken down to allow
equipment access to the CBA-2 area will need to be repaired.
Backfilling and grading associated with the South Portals reclamation project has been largely completed, and in
general looks quite good. One problem area was noted along the upper bench outslope. Salt staining along the
berm on top of the outer edge of the bench indicates that runoff water had ponded along the berm, and staining
on the outslope below indicates that there was seepage from the areas of ponding that emerged on the slope. In
one location, there appears to have been piping erosion and concentrated flow that caused a gully to form on the
slope. The gully will need to be filled in and seeded,and additional grading or other appropriate
measures will need to be taken to establish positive grade along the top of the bench to eliminate
ponding, and ensure that runoff is routed to appropriate ditch, culvert, or down-drain locations.
Processinq Waste
Most areas of the CRDA-1 and RSRDA waste disposal sites site were walked, and the reclaimed CRDA-2 was
viewed from the top of CRDA-1. There were no indications of instability or excessive erosion. Diversions,
perimeter ditches, and terrace drains appeared to be properly maintained and functional.
On CRDA-1, there has been some recent disposal of coal waste from the South Mine area on the open portion
of the pile (along the old haul road corrido) Adjacent reclaimed slope areas had been properly scalped of cover
soil to allow sufficient room for placement and grading of the new waste material. Appropriate measures had
been taken to maintain proper surface drainage during active dumping and grading operations. The waste will
need to be properly graded and compacted in a timely manner,with design drainage restored, and
compaction test documentation will need to be provided. Future disposal of coaly material from the Unit
Train Loadout is anticipated within this designated portion of CRDA-1.
5