_INSPECTION - C1981038 (29) - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

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 Complete Inspection of the Bowie No. 1 Mine conducted by Marcia Talvitie of the Colorado DRMS beginning with a Records Check at 8:45 a.m. on Tuesday, 27 October 2009. No one was available to represent the operator, Bowie Resources LLC, during the inspection; Basil Bear was attending mine rescue training in Denver. The field portion of the inspection covered the Well Field, the West Mine, the R.O.M. / Timber Storage Area and the Loadout Facility. Access to the East Mine was attempted, but I was unable to get the lock on the gate to un-latch. Due to inclement weather, I did not attempt to contact BRL to request assistance. Overcast skies turned to snowy and blowing conditions during the late morning. Availability of Records • Records were available for viewing at the BRL office located at the Bowie No. 2 Mine. A completed "DRMS Availability of Records" form is attached. Signs and Markers • Mine ID signs were prominently displayed at the well field, the West Mine, the East Mine and the loadout facility. The sign post for the reclaimed timber storage area had been knocked over, but the sign was still visible. • Surface disturbance marker posts were visible surrounding the well field, the West Mine, the timber storage area, and the loadout facility. • The topsoil pile located at the southwestern end of the loadout facility was clearly posted with an identifying sign. Hydrologic Balance • Ponds W-1 (Figure 1) and W-2 (Figure 2) at the West Mine were both dry. The impounding structures for each appeared to be stable and well-vegetated. There was no sign of erosion or any other weakness that might have potential adverse impacts to E Roatcap Creek. • The pond at the Timber Storage Area was dry, as were the sedimentation ponds that serve the Loadout Facility and the Highway Coal Storage site. • Ponds 1 thru 4 at the East Mine were not inspected, due to adverse weather conditions. • Erosion control BMPs (silt fence, water bars and straw bales) installed at the reclaimed R.O.M. / Timber Storage area continue to be maintained, protecting the waters of Stevens Gulch from adverse impacts. Fish & Wildlife • The main surface of the West Mine featured numerous areas where deer and/or elk had been bedding down in the revegetated areas. • Burrows of small rodents were also plentiful at the West Mine. Revegetation West Mine Vegetative cover on the reclaimed slope of the West Mine continues to improve. Grasses Bowie No. 1 Mine C-1981-038 27-Oct-2009 -1-