_INSPECTION - C1981022 (28) - Laserfiche WebLink

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111. 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 complete inspection of the Elk Creek/Sanborn Creek Mine. Jim Kiger of Oxbow Mining LLC was present for the entire inspection. Weather was clear and warm; the ground conditions were dry. A primary focus of this inspection was to observe the methane degas wells. Records. A copy of the records checklist is attached. Records are well organized and current except the insurance certificate which has expired and needs to be updated. Roads. Overall roads are in good condition. Reclamation of drill hole roads was observed and found to be excellent. Oxbow has made an effort to backfill and grade the roads as soon as practicable after drilling. An effort is made to keep the backfill rough and gouging with a backhoe to assist with erosion control, revegetation efforts and to discourage trespassers from driving on them. On several reclaimed roads a number of volunteer native species were observed including numerous sprouts of Gambel oak, chokecherry, and serviceberry. Hydrologic Balance. Ponds were checked. Pond A had a small pool of water. At Pond B, OMLLC has recently cleaned both inlets. The wet excavated material was taken to the East Yard pond to dewater and dry and then taken to the waste pile. The East Yard pond was dry at the time of the inspection as was Pond C. Support Facilities. The Hubbard Creek fan site on the adjacent to the Blue Ribbon mine site was observed. No problems were notes. OMLLC is planning to relocate the substation and fence from this site to a site to proposed in the Bear Creek drainage. We visited the future location of the fan site in Bear Creek which is located on private land. A pad will be constructed in the creek bed and the creek will flow through a culvert. A Corp of Engineers Nationwide permit has been obtained. A revision will be submitted in the near future to the Division for these activities. The Sanborn Creek fan site is being considered for an electrical generation plant to be powered by the methane. Vessels Oil and Gas is exploring the possibility of developing this resource and will be responsible for the permitting and operations of the generation station. Several of the completed methane degas sites were inspected. The sites we observed were well maintained. No off-site sedimentation was observed on the pads we visited, however looking across the valley in a couple locations, it appeared there may be an erosional gully on a couple of the fill outslopes. The generic plan does call for a berm around each pad with a straw bale. We did not visit the pads in question to confirm whether or not that was the case. No drilling was occurring during this inspection. OMLLC is considering a combined bond release for several reclaimed facilities including the Somerset Mine facilities in Hubbard Creek and Bear Creek,the Sanborn Creek fan site and several of the reclaimed gob vent boreholes. Coal Mine Waste. Construction is starting on the second bench of the II West Valley Fill. The first bench has been topsoiled; it will be roughened and seeded later this season.