_INSPECTION - C1994082 ‎(66)‎

• Permit No: C1994082
• IBM Index Class Name: INSPECTION
• Doc Name: Inspection Report
• Inspection Date: 4/23/2009
• Email Name: DTM
• Media Type: D
• Archive: No

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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.
General Comments
This was a partial inspection of the Yoast Mine, conducted on 4/23/09. The inspection was conducted from
10:45 to noon, accompanied by Roy Karo, Seneca Coal Company(SCC) Mine Manager, and with Dennis
Jones, SCC hydrologist in the afternoon.
The field inspection was limited to areas along the main permanent access road (former Haul Roads"A" and
"B"), in the morning, and reclaimed areas accessible from Sage Creek road, specifically Sediment Ponds 012,
013, and 014, and associated reclaimed watersheds, as well as Sediment Pond 011, in the Grassy Creek
watershed, in the afternoon. Reclaimed areas in the interior of the mine site were inaccessible due to remnant
snow drifts and impassably muddy conditions on access roads that were not maintained through the winter.
Weather was clear and warm. There was considerable snow cover remaining on north and east facing slopes,
with most other areas largely snow free. Major snowmelt from the mine site and adjacent areas of similar
elevation had initiated within the past week, with the onset of warmer weather. There was significant flow in the
major ephemeral channels in the sediment pond watersheds, and it was noted that streams in the adjacent and
general area, including Sage Creek and Dry Creek, were flowing high and turbid.
One enforcement action (NOV CV-2009-002)was issued based on observations made during the inspection.
See description and photo documentation below.
Description of Enforcement Actions
NOV CV-2009-002
NOV CV-2009-002 was issued May 1, 2009, based on observations made during the inspection on April 23.
The NOV was issued for failure to maintain segment of permanent access road(former Haul Road A') to
control or prevent erosion and siltation;and failure to properly install or maintain necessary erosion control
structures in vicinity of road fill embankment.
The site location to which the NOV applies is the fill embankment and associated ditch downdrain located along
the east side of the former Haul Road "A". The road has been approved as a permanent access road to be
retained for the postmining land use, and was regraded during 2008 to conform to permanent access road
requirements. Travel width was reduced to 20', and roadsides and embankment slopes were topsoiled and
seeded last fall. Snow had only recently melted from the site and vegetation (presumably annual wheat cover
crop seeded with the perennial mix) had just begun to emerge on the seeded areas. The subject segment of
road is located outside of the mine pit disturbance area and as such, runoff from the road disturbance does not
report to a sediment pond.
A gully two to three feet wide by up to two feet deep had formed along the upper(south) end of the fill, as a
result of concentrated runoff from the road surface and adjacent slopes. The gully extended for a length of
approximately 90 feet, with a significant area of sediment deposition extending from the lower end of the gully
down to the Scotchman's Gulch channel. The depositional area appeared to be a few inches deep, and
extended for approximately 150 feet, and up to 50 feet wide at the widest point. It was evident that sediment
laden flow had overtopped a siltation berm and straw wattle along the toe of the fill, with deposition extending to
the outside of the fence along the permit/disturbed area boundary. Digital photos documenting the NOV
observations are included at the end of this inspection report (Photo#0145, 0147, and 0148).
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