_INSPECTION - C1981028 ‎(55)‎

• Permit No: C1981028
• IBM Index Class Name: INSPECTION
• Doc Name: Inspection Report
• Inspection Date: 7/23/2009
• Email Name: JHB
• 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.
This was a Partial inspection conducted by Janet Binns of CDRMS. The mine no longer extracts coal,but the remaining
surface pit(Pit B) is permitted to dispose of flyash. CEC caps,regrades,topsoils,mulches and seeds the pit as the ash fill
progresses. The weather was clear and warm,with thunderheads building at the time of the inspection. The mine has
received frequent small rain events. Total precipitation measured for July=1.52 inches. Mr. MacDonald provided the
inspector copies of a Minor Revision during the inspection. The Minor Revision provides updates to officers and controllers
of the Coors Energy Company and its parent company.
Roads: The haul road to the pit and return to the facilities were dry and well graded. Road side ditches have been shaped .
Two ash trucks came in during the inspection.The operator said that they are currently hauling 8 truckloads of ash per day.
The haul road is in good condition.
Hydrologic Balance: The mine site was moist and has received adequate precipitation in recent storms. The dugout pond
was dry and well vegetated. Pond 2 is primarily dry but holds a small puddle of water. The puddle of water at the North
end of Pit B was still present,though drying up.
Backfill: The lower lift of ash has already been placed in the bottom of B pit adjacent to a proposed gas well location. CEC
is placing ash on the upper lift of Pit B, immediately North of the Area 3 1 R reclamation area.
Reclamation Success: Area 31 R has been seeded to sorghum, and will be seeded to the permanent seed mix this fall.
Sorghum has emerged and is approximately 5 inches high. Occasional perennial grasses were encountered in Area 3 1 R
although it has not yet been seeded with the permanent seedmix.
Moisture as appeared to come at opportune times this growing season. The reclaimed vegetation throughout the mine was
vigorous and very healthy. Species not frequently seen in other years were visible in the reclaimed areas. Prairie
coneflower was one species encountered that is included in the seed mix but not often observed. Annual sunflowers are
quite prevalent. Annual horseweed was present in areas with well established vegetation. This annual is not considered
noxious, so does not require weed control. One weedy species,Dodder, was encountered in Reclaimed areas 30 and 20, and
by the topsoil Stockpile. These appear to be isolated occurrences of this weed and were pulled by hand. CEC personnel
should continue to monitor for noxious species. No other noxious weeds were noted.
Reclaimed area 30 had a profusion of Indian ricegrass. Vegetation is establishing very well in this parcel. Buffalo grass is
still present as are many of the other seeded perennial species: slender wheatgrass, switchgrass,prairie coneflower, and blue
grama grass,to name visually dominant species.
Reclaimed area 15 had tended to exhibit sparse cover. This year sand sage,blue grama, switchgrass, slender wheatgrass,
were visually present along with the usual annual sunflowers and mustards.
Reclaimed area 25 still is sparse on perennial species establishment. Although seeded perennial species are present,they are
more occasionally encountered,while annual species; Annual sunflower,Russian thistle and Cheatgrass still appear to
dominate. CEC will continue to monitor this parcel.
Page—3—of—6—Pages,(date) 7/23/2009(initials) ihb