_INSPECTION - C1980006 ‎(32)‎

• Permit No: C1980006
• IBM Index Class Name: INSPECTION
• Doc Name: Inspection Report
• Inspection Date: 6/11/2008
• Email Name: JHB
• 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 was a partial inspection conducted by Janet Binns of Colorado Division of Reclamation, Mining
and Safety. This was a Special Focus oversight inspection with representatives from the Office of.
Surface Mining, Denver Field Office; Howard Strand, Christine Belka, and Elizabeth Shaeffer. The
mine is a reclaimed surface mine. No mine personnel are on site. No operator representatives
accompanied the inspection. The subject of the Special focus was Permanent Impoundments. The mine
site was dry. The weather was extremely windy with a spring snow storm moving in at the end of the
inspection. The silver"American"brand key lock remains locked out at the mine access gate.
Records: The inspection commenced at the NWCC office in Steamboat Springs where the records are
kept. Files for the permitting process for TR22-Retaining Pond F, and TR19 were looked for. Details
for TR19 were not located. The permit binders reside on the second floor in a tan file cabinet and
several cardboard boxes. More recent files were retrieved by NWCC and provided to us for review.
Information pertaining to permitting of pond F was found. Confirmation from Colorado Department of
Water Resources; State Engineers Office for TR19 was not located at NWCC offices, but was provided
by DRMS to OSM electronically.
Hydrologic Balance:
Pond F was inspected first. It was not discharging but water level was just at the base of the discharge
weep holes. Water held in Pond F was clear and frogs could be heard chirping at Pond F. No problems
were identified with Pond F.
Pond E was accessed from the county road. Pond E was holding water but below discharge elevation.
Water appeared clear and no problems were identified at Pond E.
Pond D: Repairs to the primary drop structure has the drop structure listing slightly to the north. Pond D
was holding water approximately 2 feet below the weep holes of the drop structure. The water was clear.
No problems were noted with Pond D.
Pond B was holding a pool of clear water just at the discharge elevation. The pond was not discharging
but small trickles of water were being blown into the discharge structure with wave action. No problems
were identified with Pond B.
Pond A water level was several feet below the discharge level. Repairs to the primary drop structure
were completed this spring at Pond A. No leaking of the inlet was observed. No problems were noted
with Pond A.
Ponds C and G were previously reclaimed.
Reve etg ation: Reclaimed Pond G area is blending in well with surrounding undisturbed land, and'not
exhibiting rills or gullies. Vegetation throughout the mine has greened up and forb species have begun
to bloom. Noxious weeds were rare and not noted in any great frequency. No problems were noted
throughout the mine site. The vegetative cover looked good the Pit 1 area.
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