_INSPECTION - C1980007 (52) - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

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