_INSPECTION - C1981028 (32) - Laserfiche WebLink

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III. COMMENTS-COMPLIANCE Below are comments on the inspection. The comments include discussion of observations made outing 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 conducted by Janet Binns of CDRMS. The mine no longer extracts coal,but the remaining surface pit(Pit B) is permitted to dispose of flyash. CEC caps,regrades,topsoils,mulches and seeds the pit as the ash till progresses. The weather was windy and cold. The mine site was dry. The purpose of the inspection was to observe auras that have exhibited Cheatgrass invasion and discuss methods of control employed by the operator. Present at the inspection were: Don MacDonald and Danny Kipp of Coors Energy Company, Mike Savage of Savage&Savage Environmental, consultants for CEC,George Beck Colorado State University, Sandy Brown,Tony Waldron and Janet Binns of DRMS. Roads: CEC has begun to plane off road base material from the haul road return from the pit to the facilities. This will lower the height of the road corridor to blend in with the surrounding reclaimed parcels. CEC does not rely on this travel corridor from hauling ash or spoil to the B-pit as the active area in the B pit progresses northward. Revegetation and Reclamation Success: Although the Keenesburg Mine does not have problem with Cheatgrass(aka Downy Brome,Bromus tectorron)infestation,there are localized reclamation areas at the mine site that have pervasive Cheatgrass presence. George Beck is an expert in weed science at CSU. At the request of DRMS, Mr. Beck is preparing a brochure to aid operators in effectively manage Cheatgrass invasion. The Keenesburg Mine was chosen for observation since CEC has recognized Cheatgrass invasion, and has made efforts to control the Cheatgrass. Parcel 9 at the southern end of the permit area was observed. On the strips that the B horizon soil was used as the topdressing,vegetation is denser and a lower concentration of Cheatgrass was observed,than on the strips that received the A horizon(sugar sand)as the topdressing. Photos below.Cheatgrass is also noted at the base of sand sage and established perennial bunch grasses. On reclamation stands with thinner cover,Cheatgrass was noted becoming established on the bare soils. Other reclamation parcels that were noted were Area 10, 16 and 25. CEC has used fire as a control method,timing the burning to after antithesis but prior to seed maturity. Timing of this method was critical to reducing seed source. Discing and reseeding in Area 25 was another method of control. Overall the vegetation on the urine site was in good condition. The presence of Cheatgrass on the site is not considered an infestation but was observed to assess the concerns operators in Eastern Colorado have with Cheatgrass and to observe the response from different management techniques. No maintenance problems were noted during this inspection. j4R�'RE - Reclamation parcel Cheatgrass germinating&emerging at base of perennial species Page—3—of—5—Pages,(date) 1713'20eg(initials) Tb