2009-09-04_INSPECTION - C1981010

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Sep 04 09 10:32a Trapper Mining Inc 9708266136 p.6 Trapper Mine Ash Disposal Facility --- INTRODUCTION --- The Inspector, Donna Stoner, arrived at the Trapper Mine Office on October 19, 2005 at 2:50 P.M. Entry to the site was made with consent of Mr. Forrest Luke after the inspector signed the office entrance register. The inspection was a routine compliance inspection and records review. The inspection was not announced prior to the inspector's arrival. The Trapper Mine Ash Disposal Facility is a series of surface mined pits being reclaimed by placement of coal ash into the mined out pits. Tri-State Generation and Transmission Inc. Craig Station is located adjacent to and north of Trapper Mine and disposes of their generated ash into the pits. Tri-State Generation and Transmission Inc. is the only disposal client of the Trapper Mine Ash Disposal Facility, although some mine generated waste including office waste is disposed of in the pits. Moffat County issued the Certificate of Designation (CD) May 9, 1980. --- DOCUMENT REVIEW - The inspector planned to meet with Mr. Frank Self, Senior Environmental Specialist. However, Mr. Self is no longer at Trapper Mine. Mr. Forrest Luke, the Environmental Manager agreed to participate in the inspection and introduced Donna to Graham Roberts, the Environmental Health and Safety Manager, who also participated in the inspection. Donna Stoner requested a copy of the year to date volume records. Mr. Luke made a copy of 2004 totals and 2005 year to date, which includes spreadsheets, that record number of 50-ton truckloads per month. Mr. Luke said there is approximately one year remaining life in Pit A and anticipated beginning disposal in the Darringer Pit by the end of 2006 and certainly by 2007. --- FACILITY INSPECTION --- Mr. Luke drove Donna Stoner and Graham Roberts to Pit A, which is south east of the Trapper mine office building. The north end of the pit has reached grade and is being closed. Soil cover is being placed in preparation for reclamation. The southern side is near full and ash is now being placed in the center of the cell. After observing the north end Mr. Luke drove to the western side of the cell where the active middle portion could be observed, however mud conditions prohibited driving to the southern or backside of the cell. Donna Stoner asked about ash characterization information. Mr. Luke said it was available and provided from Tri-State G&T. Donna agreed that she had also received the data from Tri-State G&T when she requested it. Donna Stoner asked about the pH of the ash material. Mr. Luke said it was neutral approximately pH 7. After observing the central portion of the pit from the west side, Mr. Luke drove the three inspection participants back to the office building. Three photos were taken. The