_INSPECTION - C1994082 ‎(73)‎

• Permit No: C1994082
• IBM Index Class Name: INSPECTION
• Doc Name: Inspection Report
• Inspection Date: 5/26/2009
• Email Name: DTM
• Media Type: D
• Archive: No

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 the afternoon of 5/26/09 and the morning of
05/27/09. Roy Karo, Seneca Coal Company(SCC) Reclamation Manager, was present during the inspection.
Due to muddy conditions from snowmelt in recent weeks in addition to rainfall over the previous several days,
the inspection was limited to areas along the lower main permanent access road (former Haul Road "A"), on the
afternoon of 5/26, and areas accessible from Sage Creek road, specifically Sediment Ponds 012, 013, and 014,
and associated reclaimed watersheds, on the morning of 5/27. The mine area was entirely free of snow cover,
but much of the site was inaccessible to vehicular travel due to muddy conditions from the recent rains.
Weather was cloudy with intermittent light rain on 5/26, clear and mild on 5/27.
Abatement of NOV CV-2009-002 was verified and the NOV was terminated based on observations made during
the inspection.
Status of NOV Abatements
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 applied is the fill embankment and associated ditch downdrain located along
the east side of the former Haul Road "A". 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.
During the inspection on the afternoon of 5/26, it was verified that the violation had been properly abated. The
gully had been graded and shaped,TRM mat had been installed along the length of the down-drain channel, a
series of straw wattles had been installed to control sedimentation from the site, and areas of sediment
deposition and areas disturbed by repair work had been seeded. A Termination Notice was issued on 5/29/09.
Roads
The lower section of the primary permanent access road (former Haul Road "A")was muddy from recent rain,
but passable. Beyond the upper end of Road "A", the travel surface became increasingly soft and slippery, and
we did not attempt to travel further south along the entrance road. Drainage maintenance work had been
initiated along the road, and a hand crew was installing/repairing straw wattles and rock checks along the road
segment during the inspection.
Hydrologic Balance
Roy Karo reported that recent rains on top of soils still close to saturation from snowmelt had resulted in
permanent channel erosion in various locations; some of these locations were observed in the Pond 12
watershed; other locations in the interior portion of the mine area could not be reached due:to muddy conditions
that prevented vehicle access.
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