_INSPECTION - C1981033 (63) - Laserfiche WebLink

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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 Joe Dudash of the Colorado DRMS.No one represented the operator,Bear Coal Company, during the field inspection. Signs and Markers The mine ID sign and its post were on the ground at the top of the hill and should be put back up. Roads The paved entrance road was clear of debris and was passable. The bridge over the North Fork of the Gunnison River was passable.The hole in the road at the west end of the bridge has been filled in. Facilities The concrete and metal from the burned down mine office building remain on site.In addition, several tires and some other metal are also on site.The temporary power cable that had been installed across the mine facility area has been removed by the electric power company. Hydrology The hillside spring was flowing into the spring water treatment pond,although a very slight trickle was getting outside of the collection ditch and was flowing towards the mine office area.At this point, it is not a problem. At a point about ten feet below the origin of the hillside spring,the temperature of the spring water was 104 degrees Fahrenheit. Tamarisk in this area needs to be removed. The hillside spring water treatment pond was discharging at about 10 to 15 gpm. The discharge was the characteristic orange color,which has been shown to be in compliance with water quality standards.The water level in the treatment pond was about six inches below the level of the horizontal pipe. Tamarisk is growing along the water's edge and needs to be removed. There was some standing water in the sediment pond but the water level was about one foot below the primary discharge pipe.The gated primary valve was in the closed position. The primary and emergency spillways were operational. The collection ditch leading into the north end of the sediment pond had enough capacity. The river berm was in place and had sufficient height.The caps were on both alluvial well pipes. Reclamation The vegetation at the flat facilities area was a little sparse in places and was starting to turn brown.The north facing reclaimed hillside had a good green vegetative cover. The east side of the reclaimed hillside appeared to be stable while the west side has had stability problems. c:/word/bear3/insp0708