_INSPECTION - C1981019 ‎(57)‎

• Permit No: C1981019
• IBM Index Class Name: INSPECTION
• Doc Name: Inspection Report
• Inspection Date: 8/18/2009
• Email Name: JRS
• Media Type: D
• Archive: No

Colowyo C-1981-019
18 August 2009
Pg 7/9
Topsoil: - Colowyo was also replacing topsoil in the portion of the West Pit that has
already been backfilled and regraded. They were replacing topsoil from the
stockpile immediately below Hink's Peak using 637E scrapers. The scrapers were
traveling from the topsoil pile east of the reclamation, down the slope and through
the future drainage in the center of the reclaimed area. The required topsoil
replacement depth for this area is eight inches. It was not clear if this depth has
been met in any of the areas as the operations were ongoing. The Division will chech
the topsoil replacement depths when it is completed. Colowyo has committed to
ripping the topsoil on contour prior to seeding to help with erosion control. This
ripping will not only be necessary for erosion control in the West Pit but it will also be
required to alleviate the heavy compaction from the scrapers and their rubber tires.
Failure to rip the surface prior to seeding will greatly decrease the likelihood of
establishing vegetation. *See the pictures at the end of the report for West Pit topsoil
replacement.*
General Mine Plan Compliance: - The 101 dragline is on the East Pit highwall where it
was sitting idle. It does not appear to have moved in the last month.
- The 102 dragline was performing reclamation work in the Taylor Creek area of the
West Pit just above the East Taylor Pond (see more details in Backfilling and Grading
above).
- The 103 dragline was working in the West Pit removing F-Seam overburden.
- The 114 shovel operation was in the South Taylor Pit removing C5-Seam overburden,
although it was not operating when we were there due to shift change. The
overburden from this area is still being hauled to the East Taylor Fill.
- The 115 excavator was removing E-Seam coal in the South Taylor Pit area.
Fish and Wildlife: There were numerous deer in both the Taylor Creek drainage area
by the East Taylor Pond (four large bucks) and along the East Pit perimeter ditches as
we walked them (several bucks and does). We also encountered an approximately
3 1/2 foot long rattle snake on the Taylor Draw road.
Excess Spoil: - The West Pit Fill was walked during the inspection. The fill was well
vegetated and appeared to be stable. There are two contour ditches that run
along the fill. These ditches remain stable. No erosional problems were noted on the
fill at the time of the inspection. The riprapped ditch that runs along the north side of
the fill was stable. There did not appear to be any undercutting or sidecutting along
the length of the ditch. There was a large patch of bull thistle on the south side of the
fill from the bottom of the fill (by the West Pit Pond) to the first contour ditch. It was
unclear whether these were sprayed and the spraying was not successful, if they
were missed when Colowyo sprayed or if they were late emerging, either way, they
will need to be sprayed so they do not become a major problem. Colowyo will be
removing the upper 75 feet of the West Pit fill to achieve its final contour. This work is
scheduled for the years 2010-2012 (Map 29 - Spoil Grading).