_INSPECTION - C1981019 ‎(30)‎

• Permit No: C1981019
• IBM Index Class Name: INSPECTION
• Doc Name: Inspection Report
• Inspection Date: 1/28/2010
• Email Name: JRS
• Media Type: D
• Archive: No

Colowyo C-1981-019
28 Jan 10
Pg 2/3
Hydrologic Balance (cont.): - The Rail Loop Pond (NPDES 006A) contained a small
amount of water time of the inspection but was not discharging. The pond was
partially cleaned but they were having a difficult time because the pond contained
some water. Colowyo indicated that they would complete the cleaning this
spring/summer when the pond dries out again. The pond embankment was covered
with a small amount of snow but remains well vegetated and stable and no erosional
problems were noted.
- The newly constructed portion of the Taylor Tributary Ditch was observed from
above along the West Pit reclamation. The ditch was not carrying any water and
appeared to remain stable at the time of the inspection. This ditch will carry all of the
runoff from the new West Pit reclamation to the East Taylor Pond. The portion of the
ditch that drains into the pond is just loose riprap. Colowyo should consider
additional armoring of this portion of the channel/pond inlet to minimize the chances
for erosion.
Backfilling and Grading: - In December Colowyo was conducting backfilling
operations using the 102 dragline along Haul Road A at the East Pit/West Pit
boundary. The area is a wedge of approximately 16 acres in the northwest quarter
of Section 10. This wedge area ties-in with reclamation that has already been
completed in the East Pit (reclamation blocks EP041 and EP046). The reclamation in
this area was stopped, as the 102 dragline was needed in the West Pit (and has since
moved to another reclamation job). Ryan indicated that Colowyo will likely return
and finish this reclamation in the spring or early summer when the 102 walks back to
the east side of the West Pit. Upon completion of this reclamation Colowyo will need
to topsoil and seed this area, as required.
- The current active dump area for the South Taylor Pit operations is in the final cut of
the Section 16 Pit (the former South Taylor Pit haul road corridor). Colowyo is
dumping material from both the truck/shovel and the excavator/shovel operations in
the pit. Colowyo started this project late last year (late November or early
December) and they have filled in approximately 90% of the final cut with the first lift
and approximately 80% of the final cut with the second lift. Colowyo is dumping the
fill in approximately 50-foot lifts and they are working on extending the second lift.
Once the second lift is complete there will be less than 50 feet (one more lift) before
the fill in the final cut of the Section 16 Pit reaches the approved post-mining
topography. It is anticipated that the remaining portion of the Section 16 Pit (the
remaining approximately 10% to the north) will be backfilled by pushing in the spoil
ridges that remain on either side of the pit. Upon completion of the backfilling of
these areas Colowyo will need to replace the topsoil and seed the areas.
- Although down for scheduled maintenance, the 102 dragline has been working on
reclaiming approximately 139 acres in the Taylor Draw south of the area that was
reclaimed last year (approximately 50 acres). This reclamation will complete the
reclamation in Taylor Draw up to the active operations. Colowyo will also need to
complete work on the appropriate post-mining drainage channels in this area and
topsoil and seed the area upon completion of the backfilling and grading
operations.