_INSPECTION - C1981047 (23) - 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. It was also agreed that the collection channel that leads into pond 5 from the north needs to be retained. The channel serves as part of the drainage system to direct runoff around the covered coal waste fill area. The channel is wide and well vegetated and would blend into the reclaimed pond 5 drainage. However,the 18 inch diameter black corrugated plastic culvert that lies on the surface and brings runoff from the upper bench down to the pond 5 collection channel will need to be removed. There are three white plastic pipe underdrains that project out from the base of the reclaimed mine slope. It was agreed that the pipes should be cut back to ground level and the pipe outlets covered with rock. The reclaimed mine benches appeared to be stable. There were no signs of slope instability or erosional gullies on the reclaimed slopes and terraces. There were no signs of a highwall remnant at the top of the reclaimed area. The reclaimed slopes and terraces were well vegetated. Although thistle had been recently sprayed,there were still scattered occurrences of the noxious weed, as well as houndstongue and curly doc, which the operator must continue to control. The drainage channel on the top reclaimed mine bench needs to be kept in place to keep water off of the covered coal waste fill. There was a remnant of an upland diversion ditch in the northeast corner of the site. It was agreed that this ditch should not be reclaimed since the ditch is small in size and that the work to reclaim it would produce further surface disturbance. There were several piezometers and survey stakes housed in plastic pipes on the reclaimed benches. The piezometers will be reclaimed by removing the plastic pipes, filling the holes with bentonite and covering the immediate area with soil. The survey stakes are roof bolts secured in concrete. For reclamation,the plastic pipes will be removed,the roof bolts will be cut below the ground, and the holes filled in with soil. Surface disturbance markers were up around the disturbed area and will be removed upon approval of final reclamation. The reclaimed haul road had a good vegetative cover and appeared to be stable. The inspection continued to the west side of Hubbard Creek across from the mine entrance gate where the reclaimed temporary coal stockpile area and pond 4 are located. Pond 4 was dry. The pond inslopes and outslopes were well vegetated and the pond discharge structures were functional. As mentioned previously for pond 5, pond 4 will be reclaimed after the soil loss comparison demonstration is approved by the Division in a minor revision to be submitted by the operator. As also mentioned previously, final bond release can not be made until an appropriate vegetative cover is established on the backfilled and graded pond 4. It was agreed that, after the pond discharge pipes are moved, only the northeast section of the pond 4 embankment will be pushed back into the pond for reclamation. The remaining pond embankment was well covered in vegetation and would be better left undisturbed. There was an infestation of knapweed adjacent to pond 4. The knapweed needs to be sprayed before backfilling of pond 4 begins. The nearly flat and reclaimed temporary coal stockpile area that drains to pond 4, by way of a culvert under Hubbard Creek road, was well vegetated. The road culvert does not need to be reclaimed since it provides additional drainage for the immediate area. The upland diversion ditch was also well vegetated. It was proposed that the ditch remain since reclaiming it would only increase the surface disturbance and allow for noxious weed infestation.No erosional problems were observed at this site. However,there were additional occurrences of knapweed in the central portion of this area that must be sprayed and controlled. c:/word/blueribbon/insp0808bond Page 5