_INSPECTION - C1981008 (47) - 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. Backfill & Grading • The shovel was loading three haul trucks (including two new Komatsu units - Figure 5) with overburden for transport to the backfill area. Topsoil • The southern slopes of the Benson-West and Lloyd parcels (rising above what will ultimately be the reclaimed BB Road west of 2700 Road) have been reclaimed with a surface that is rockier, to aid in postmining erosion control and to help encourage the establishment of woody shrubs. • A D9R bulldozer was spreading mixed, windrowed topsoil on the Lloyd parcel. Subsoil in advance of the topsoil spreading operation had been ripped (Figure 6), and survey laths had been placed to aid the dozer operator in identifying the depth of topsoil required. • The existing topsoil thicknesses, observed on the cut face of the Morgan (Prime Farmland) parcel are extremely variable. General Mine Plan Compliance • WFC has determined the alignment for the buried irrigation line south of BB Road. It will follow the property line between the San Miguel Power and WFC parcels, proceeding south to the Burbridge parcel. Valves and meters will be installed for use by each landowner. • Drilling and blasting operations have again moved well north of the Morgan home. WFC estimates that when the next cut is begun, the shots will require 5 decks at the southern end, progressing to 4, 3, 2 and 1 as they proceed northward. • We were able to witness a blast during the inspection; it occurred at approximately 12:15 p.m. Reveaetation • The 2009 Vegetation Study will be conducted during the first week of June. • The season's first cutting of hay (from IP areas) will occur following the Vegetation Study. • The dryland pasture growth on the Moore parcel appeared to be uniform and healthy, as did that on the Benson parcel located west of 2700 Road. • WFC has hired a new contractor for the farming aspect of the operation. The segment of BB Road Detour reclaimed in 2008 has now been seeded. Prime Farmland- Husbandry Practices • The Morgan field located between the permit boundary and BB/2700 Road had been grazed by horses throughout 2008 and into 2009. At the time of the inspection, it had been ripped, tilled, and partially land planed (Figure 7). We spoke with Frank Morgan, who said they will be planting corn on that field this year. Weeds-General • Mike Morgan was irrigating the un-mined Morgan field in the southwestern corner of the permit area. He said Montrose County weed control had sprayed BB/2700 Road the previous day. In the roadside ditches, we observed a plant we did not recognize (Figure 8). Mike said the County referred to it as "Hare Barley" (Hordeum murinum ssp. leporinum), and had sprayed that as well. New Horizon Mine C-1981-008 19-May-2009 -2-