_INSPECTION - C1981038 (35) - Laserfiche WebLink

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Ill. 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. Backfill & Grading • The full length of the reclaimed western Diversion Channel (Zone 3-A) was inspected. Fill material was hauled to this zone very early in the reclamation process, and this was one of the first areas to be topsoiled and seeded in 2008. The surface was roughened using an excavator bucket prior to seeding. • There was no indication of water seepage occurring through the various reclaimed fill slopes at the East Mine. Support Facilities (Loadout Facilities, as depicted on Map-7 of Volume 7) • A substantial portion of the railroad spur was walked for this inspection: from the three segments of the wye at the extreme northeastern end of the permit, to the sedimentation pond at the Coal Storage Area. No rail cars were stored on the tracks at the time of the inspection. • There remains some housekeeping work to do at the material storage areas. Basil said BRL would be working on that in the near future. Topsoil • The quality of topsoil varies throughout the East Mine. Steeper slopes appear to have better topsoil, in general, than do the flatter zones. Fish & Wildlife • Mule deer are apparently enjoying the reclaimed East Mine. Several were sighted during the inspection, and the roads and slopes are cris-crossed with their tracks. A nice buck was very interested in the inspection activities (Photo 3). • Scat from wild animals (bear and ???) was plentiful between the rails along the spur from the Loadout Facility to the Highway Coal Stockpile Area. • Deer tracks were visible in the coal and ballast material lying between the rails on the spur bridge which spans the N Fork of the Gunnison River. Revegetation • No additional areas at the East Mine had been seeded since the September inspection. It is advisable to seed the reclaimed areas prior to winter, even by broadcasting, in order to provide competition for weeds in the spring. • Wheat grasses are thriving (Photo 4) on much of the reclaimed Crushing/Screening Bench slope (Reclamation Zones 1-A, 1-B and 4-A). • Vegetation in Zone 1-A east of the riprap channel is less well developed. There is at least one strip of Russian thistle, and mustard skeletons are prevalent. Nearing the top of the riprap channel, several isolated Burdock plants were found. Efforts should be made to control this weed beginning with the 2010 growing season. • Disturbed areas adjacent to the railroad tracks were everywhere well vegetated. However, several thistle skeletons were observed still standing on the south side of the tracks, below the "Topsoil Storage Area" on Map-7. Bowie No. 1 Mine C-1981-038 18-Nov-2008 -2-