Laserfiche WebLink
III. COMMENTS -COMPLIANCE <br /> Below are comments on the inspection. The comments include discussion of observations made during <br /> the inspection. Comments also describe any enforcement actions taken during the inspection and the <br /> facts or evidence supporting the enforcement action. <br /> This was a partial inspection conducted by Tom Kaldenbach of DRMS. Doug Nolte of Mountain <br /> Coal Company represented the operator. Selected photographs taken during the inspection are <br /> attached to the end of this report. With the operator's consent, this report was issued from the Denver <br /> office of DRMS. <br /> The operator's representative reported that the longwall was active in Panel 18 and development work <br /> was in progress for panel E-1. <br /> The ground was dry during this inspection. <br /> Offsite Support Facilities <br /> Topsoil stockpile markers and sediment control measures were in place in the Corrals laydown/staging <br /> area, Deer Creek Shaft, and the borrow area for the Monument Dam work. A contractor was drilling <br /> the raised-bore vent shaft on the Deer Creek Shaft pad. Activity was confined to the disturbed area. <br /> Most of the disturbed area is fenced. The subsoil and topsoil stockpiles are outside the fence. Drill <br /> cuttings were not being stored on the surface, consistent with the Deer Creek Shaft Project Plan <br /> approved in TR-109 (Exhibit 77 of the permit application). The topsoil stockpile has recently been <br /> regraded. The operator's representative pointed out to the contractor one small area where subsoil <br /> needed to be relocated away from the topsoil stockpile (see photo). <br /> The approximate 1-acre borrow area on the south side of Forest Service Road 711 is the only area <br /> considered as mine disturbance near the recent reconstruction of Minnesota Dam. The borrow area <br /> appeared to be no larger than the area approved for disturbance in TR-108 and is regraded(see photo). <br /> A mine i.d. sign was properly displayed on the Forest Service road at the Corrals laydown/staging area. <br /> Subsidence <br /> Photos (below) show the area where subsidence cracks have formed where the West Flatiron road <br /> crosses a sandstone exposure at the drill pad for methane drainage wells 21-01, 21-02, and 21-03. This <br /> area was noted in last month's (June 2008) inspection report. The road and drill pad at this location <br /> have been regraded to eliminate the hazard from the cracks. During the inspection a crew was <br /> finishing placing straw mulch on the regraded and seeded area. The operator's representative <br /> explained that the USFS had been consulted prior to reclaiming this site. <br /> The only place where cracks remain exposed at this site is next to the reclaimed area, on the edge of a <br /> cliff face. I considered the need to fill these cracks or place a warning sign at this location, and <br /> concluded that filling the cracks or placing a sign are unwarranted given the natural hazard of the cliff <br /> face and the naturally rough surface of the ground. The mine has installed a subsidence warning sign <br /> on the West Flatiron road at a location where the public would pass prior to reaching this location. <br /> 3 <br />