_INSPECTION - C1981035 ‎(43)‎

• Permit No: C1981035
• IBM Index Class Name: INSPECTION
• Doc Name: Inspection Report
• Inspection Date: 6/4/2008
• Email Name: TAK
• 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.
This partial inspection of the King Coal 1 Mine was conducted by DRMS staff from the Durango Office,
located at 701 Camino del Rio, Room 315, Durango, CO 81301, phone [phone]. Operations
were active during the time of the inspection. Thirteen photos accompany this report.
The sediment containment system for the King Coal 1 Mine was functioning as designed, evidence of
affected area drainage escaping the area prior to treatment was not observed. However, maintenance
for portions of the upland diversion ditches and sediment containment system appears essential to
ensure their continued function, as discussed below and/or shown in the photos.
As shown in photos one through five, maintenance is required for the east upland diversion ditch to
include, but not limited to, the removal of dead fall debris from the rock-lined section of the ditch and
sediment clean-out from the upper unlined portions of the ditch to ensure adequate capacity,
configuration and function in accordance with the approved designs. The lower portion of the east
upland diversion ditch, located downstream of the culvert section, appeared well maintained and
stable. Regulated noxious weeds previously observed at the outlet of the east upland diversion ditch
were not observed.
As shown in photo eight, the culvert inlet for the west upland diversion ditch was partially obstructed by
minor rock fall. Although not photographed, the culvert outlet for the west upland diversion ditch,
which outlets to the lower portion of the east upland diversion ditch located immediately behind the
scales house, was partially obstructed by sediment. Removal of the partial obstructions at the inlet
and outlet of the culvert section of the west upland diversion appears necessary to ensure its
continued function in accordance with the approved designs. All other portions of the west upland
diversion ditch appeared well maintained and stable.
Affected area drainage is conveyed to either of two sediment ponds by a combination of culverts,
ditches and berms. Affected area drainage from the Refuse Disposal Pile (RDP) and the south end of
the yard area are conveyed to the north end of the yard area by a culvert approximately 250 feet long
(under-yard culvert). As shown in photo nine, the debris screen for the inlet of the under-yard culvert
has eroded sufficient to allow cobble sized sediment to enter the culvert. A second inlet for the under-
yard culvert was partially obstructed by earthen berms and dismantled equipment (photos 10 and 11).
As shown in photo 12, the outlet of the under-yard culvert, located adjacent to the truck scales, was
partially obstructed by sediment.
The large sediment pond was holding a minor amount of water, approximately four inches in depth.
Water level appeared well below the inlet elevation for the primary spillway. The embankment
appeared stable with no evidence of seepage, slumping or erosion. The open channel secondary
spillway and overflow PVC pipe to the small sediment pond appeared clear and functional with no
discharge noted. As shown in photo 13, a regulated noxious weed, Whitetop, was established on the
pond embankment.
The small sediment pond was dry. The embankment appeared stable with no evidence of seepage,
slumping or erosion. Primary and secondary spillways appeared clear and functional with no
discharge noted. Evidence of recent maintenance grading at the pond inlet was apparent.
Drainage from the short portion of the mine entrance/haul road located outside of the sediment pond
treatment area is treated for sediment by three small sediment traps with filter fabric. The three
sediment traps appeared well maintained and capable of functioning as designed.