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III. COMMENTS - COMPLIANCE <br /> Colowyo C-1981-019 <br /> 16 Sept 2009 <br /> Pg 1/5 <br /> Below are comments on the inspection. The comments include discussion of observations <br /> made during the inspection. Comments also describe any enforcement actions taken <br /> during the inspection and the facts or evidence supporting the enforcement action. <br /> This was a partial inspection of the Colowyo Mine conducted by Jim Stark of CDRMS. <br /> The inspection was conducted on 16 and 17 September 2009. Ryan Pawlowski of <br /> CCC accompanied me on 16 September 2009 and Jennifer Sekulski-Barton of CCC <br /> accompanied me on 17 September 2009. The mine was actively mining coal and <br /> hauling coal to the loadout at the time of the inspection. The weather was warm <br /> and overcast and the ground was wet/muddy (from rain the previous night) on 16 <br /> September 2009. The weather was warm and partly cloudy and the ground was <br /> mostly dry on 17 September 2009. This inspection mainly focused on the reclamation <br /> that Colowyo has completed in the East and West Pits. Data was gathered from <br /> numerous locations (areas and points) with a Trimble GeoXT. This data is summarized <br /> in the text below as well as in the attached maps and figures. <br /> Roads: - Colowyo currently has a network of roads that have been built in the East Pit <br /> to help facilitate reclamation (tramming of equipment, hauling topsoil, etc.). These <br /> roads will all be pulled as their respective reclamation block is pulled. All of these <br /> roads are considered in-pit roads for the purpose of permitting. The roads were all <br /> well maintained and stable at the time of the inspection. The main road into the <br /> area also has several water bars to help control runoff and erosion on the road. <br /> Backfilling and Grading: - Colowyo has completed the backfilling and grading in the <br /> 2009 block of the East Pit (refer to Map 29 - Spoil Grading). This area is basically the <br /> lower portion of the Prospect watershed area and all of the runoff from this <br /> reclamation will flow to the Prospect Pond. This area was digitized by the Division as <br /> being 34 acres. The actual reclamation block, as walked by the Division on 17 <br /> September 2009, was 31 .8 acres. The difference in areas (digitized vs. actual) is <br /> negligible and probably based on digitizing areas. Based on aerial photos (taken on <br /> 17 September 2009) and the GPS data, it appears as though the entire 2009 <br /> reclamation block has been backfilled and graded. The reclaimed area ties-in very <br /> nicely with the native (undisturbed) areas to the immediate east and flows well from <br /> there. Although no actual slope measurements were taken on this inspection, the <br /> reclaimed landform appears to fit nicely with what is shown on the post-mining <br /> topography map, Map 19. The areas immediately above (west of) the reclamation <br /> are spoil areas and the remaining final cut of the East Pit. These areas either drain to <br /> a sump or the final cut of the East Pit, so no disturbed runoff should flow over the new <br /> reclamation. These areas will be reclaimed in future years, as detailed on Map 29. <br /> The approximate area for 2010 reclamation, as digitized by the Division, is 36 acres. <br /> This area is west of the 2009 reclamation block and basically in the middle of the <br /> block. *See pictures at the end of this report* <br />