_INSPECTION - C1981014 (54) - Laserfiche WebLink

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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. This was a partial inspection conducted by Kent Gorham of the Colorado Division of Reclamation, Mining, and Safety (Division). Also present for the inspection were representatives of the Vento group of landowners (landowners) including Linda Saunders, Tena Gallagher, and Paula Coulter. This mine is in permanent cessation and reclamation of most areas is complete. Ground conditions on this day were dry and the weather on this day was partly cloudy and warm. The inspection began along the County Road that accesses the property. After brief introductions, we generally discussed some of the questions and concerns that the landowners had and based on this discussion, decided to inspect various areas of the property to further investigate some of these concerns. The inspection proceeded to the area commonly referred to as the "parking area". This generally flat area is south of the county road on the Vento property and the previous location of a small wood frame building that is now located at the west end of the reclaim tunnel on the Corley property. As a result of the approval of Minor Revision No. 46, this area was requested as parking for the small building adjacent to this area. However, Minor Revision No. 48 approval resulted in the small building being moved from the parking area to the Corley property, eliminating the need for any parking area. The landowners all agreed that this area is not necessary and that when the adjacent topsoil pile is removed for Pond 5 reclamation, that this parking area will be ripped and reseeded. Reclamation of this area also agrees with the approved reclamation plan on page 2.05.3-41 of the approved permit. The landowners had expressed concern about a vent pipe in the reclaimed area above the former portal and the potential for explosion or fire from man-made or natural causes. Inspector Gorham was unaware of any vent pipe over or near the portal. We searched the area and did not locate a vent pipe or anything resembling such. Following the inspection, Inspector Gorham confirmed with George Patterson that this vent pipe as removed approximately six years ago. We also inspected the area immediately west of the parking area where Russian knapweed had been previously noted and treated with herbicide. Two suspect plants were found, the same plants that had been flagged by George Patterson and Inspector Gorham during a previous inspection. Linda Saunders took a portion of one of these plants for identification through the County Extension Service. The Division recommends that Energy Fuels Coal Inc (EFCI) contact the Fremont County weed agency concerning treatment for this noxious species. Past treatment has apparently been fairly successful as only these two plants were found. The inspection then proceeded to the west side of the Refuse Disposal Area(RDA). Paula Coulter expressed concern about the lack of a good road on the west side of the refuse pile. Permanent roads were approved on the east, north and south sides of the RDA to access the Pond 4 area, a gate at the northwest corner of the RDA, and a pre-existing jeep trail, 3