_INSPECTION - C1981039 ‎(4)‎

• Permit No: C1981039
• IBM Index Class Name: INSPECTION
• Doc Name: OSM Inspection Report
• From: OSM
• To: DRMS
• Inspection Date: 6/1/2009
• Email Name: JHB
• Media Type: D
• Archive: No

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Grassy Gap Final Inspection
Colorado Division of Reclamation, Mining and Safety (DRMS) Permit ID # C-1981-039
Monday, June 1st, 2009 10:00— 1:30
Participants:
Christine Belka, OSMRE (Badge#182)
Janet Binns, DRMS
Dan Hernandez, DRMS
Weather conditions: overcast, breezy, cool, incoming storm
The purpose of this inspection was to gather enough evidence of successful reclamation to
concur or raise issues with the DRMS's pending Termination of Jurisdiction (TOJ) decision. As
this is a bond forfeiture site, no bond remains to release with the TOJ decision. The mine had
Federal and private coal. Surface ownership is primarily private, but the site does contain a small
portion (40 acres total, 1 acre disturbed) of State administered land. DRMS conducted its TOJ
inspection on November 8, 2007 and was conducting this as its final inspection.
Pond 4 is approved as a permanent impoundment. It is a small pond with a low water level at the
time of inspection (see Figure 1). There was evidence (prints, droppings) of domestic animal and
wildlife visitation—the pond is supporting the post mining land use (PMLU) of rangeland. Pond
embankments are stable and the pond was not discharging at the time of inspection.
The surrounding Pit 4 area is stable and well vegetated (see Figure 2). Native sage has taken hold
although it was not planted and the landowner does not consider it desirable. The area is used for
grazing and the dominance of sage is indicative of overgrazing. The DRMS does not have
control over the landowner or land management practices on this site. I believe the vegetation is
representative of surrounding native vegetation and is substantially contributing to the stability of
the regraded slopes. Some weed species were noted (Canadian Thistle, Houndstounge, see
DRMS Findings document vegetation monitoring data for more complete and accurate invasive
species data) but were not dominant.
The Pit 2 /3 area is also stable and well vegetated. One small slump was noted (see Figure 3).
The area below the slump was notably saturated and the road further below was gullied. The
landowner has requested that the road remain to facilitate the PMLU.
Pit 1 was mined and reclaimed under an interim program permit. As such, the seed mix used and
vegetation established vary from that seen elsewhere on the site (see Figure 4). The vegetation
has been established for nearly 30 years, but very little native intrusion is noted. We questioned
if topsoil was present in the area. The top layer is rocky, sandy, and light colored (little evidence
of an organic component to the surface horizon, although cattle and wildlife are contributing an
organic element). The area is stable and vegetation is well established.
Pond 5 is notably similar to Pond 4 (see Figure 5). It is fairly small and had a low water level.
Algae were thick and thriving. Ducks were present at the time of inspection.
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