_INSPECTION - C1981008 (34) - 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. Support Facilities The temporary fuel storage facility for the mine operations area (west of 2700 Road, south of BB Road) appears to be sufficiently designed and maintained for the dispensing of off-road diesel fuel. An unlined earthen (shale/clay) berm has been constructed around the tank, and a drip bucket has been placed beneath the nozzle (Figure 3). A small (approximately 25 sq.ft. in area) oil stain was observed inside the berm. No contamination outside the berm was apparent. Topsoil Several acres of the permit area were topsoiled in 2008. In order to protect the topsoil resource from erosion by wind and water, seeding (and mulching, if required) should occur at the earliest opportunity, as appropriate to species and season. General Mine Plan Compliance There was no drilling or blasting activity at the time of the inspection. (The most recent blast, according to records, occurred on 22-Jan-2009.) The shovel was "free-digging" unconsolidated overburden (Figure 4) from the southern end of the next cut, near County Road 27001313. This overburden was being loaded into haul trucks, which then dumped the material in the upper zone of the pit backfill (Figure 5). Mr. Gubka stated that because of the operation's close proximity to the Frank Morgan house, upcoming shots would be triple-decked, in order to reduce potential effects of blasting. Fish & Wildlife A large herd of elk (Figure 6) was observed relaxing just outside the permit area (north of the Moore parcel). Abundant animal tracks were-visible in the snow and frozen mud near the ponds. Raccoon, coyote, goose, and deer are evidently attracted to the permit area. Revegetation • Cattle were grazing on the parcels owned by Burbridge and San Miguel Power. • In 2008, WFC contracted with an individual to rock pick, level and seed the permit areas topsoiled during the year. Unfortunately, due to circumstances beyond the control of WFC, the contractor was unable to complete the task assigned. No seeding was accomplished in 2008. • A consultant hired by WFC was in the area, delineating wetlands at the NH 1 area; on the parcel south of Pond 013; and at the potential new permit area to the north of NH 1. • We visited the Dryland Pasture Reference Area west of the airport. It was covered with a few inches of snow. Special Categories of Mining (Prime Farmland) A Horizon and B Horizon topsoil, which had been dozed up ahead of the pit operations prior to the December inspection, has subsequently been trucked to the stockpile area east of the pit. The color demarcations are clearly evident between the two soils. This complete inspection concluded at 1:25 p.m. New Horizon Mine C-1981-008 28-Jam-2009 -2.