_INSPECTION - C1981041 (51) - Laserfiche WebLink

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M. 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 of the Roadside Portals Mine conducted on August 27, 2009 by Mike Boulay of the Division of Reclamation, Mining and Safety Grand Junction Field Office. There was no operator representative present during the inspection. Weather conditions were sunny and warm. Roads Roads were dry and in good condition. Road ditches and road culverts were well maintained throughout the various mine site locations and support facility areas. The culverts at the Coal Creek crossing at the entrance to the UTL had recently been cleaned out following a significant storm event last month that plugged the culverts with sediment. The Division was notified of the problem and arrangements were made to haul the material to Pond 11. SCC did an excellent job at cleaning the culverts in a timely manner. Before and after pictures of the Coal Creek crossing are shown in Photograph Numbers 1 and 2 at the end of this inspection report. Hydrologic Balance Ground conditions were dry throughout the site. Coal Creek was dry except for a small flow of water at the lower end at the UTI, entrance gate. Site Sedimentation Ponds including UTL-1 & 2, 6,8,9,10,11, and 13 were inspected. All ponds were dry. The sedimentation ponds are all very well maintained and capable of functioning as intended. All pond embankments, inlets and discharge structures were stable and no problems were noted at any of the sediment pond locations. Pond 11 is shown in Photograph No. 3. As seen in this photograph the material cleaned from the culverts at the Coal Creek crossing was placed in the north end of the pond. Support Facilities The entire South Portal reclaimed area remains stable and in good condition. There were no signs of erosion or instability. As shown in the attached Photo No. 4, the vegetation is becoming well established and the site is stable. The Kokopelli fruit stand was open for business at the time of the inspection. The facilities area(former shop and warehouse) and perimeter locations at the South Portal were well maintained. At the UTL loop area, Halliburton was actively using this location to load trucks with sand. No problems were noted at any of the mine site locations during this inspection.