_INSPECTION - C1981019 (38) - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

Colowyo C-1981-019 24 Mar 10 /> Pg 4/6 Backfilling and Grading: - Colowyo has basically completed the backfilling and grading operations in the 2009-2010 area of the Taylor Draw in the West Pit. This area is approximately 100 acres and ties-in with the approximately 50 acres that were reclaimed in 2009. This area also ties-in to the approximately 42 acres of reclamation that was completed in 2007-2008. Both of these areas will need to have the topsoil replaced and they will need to be reseeded this fall. Since the 2007-2008 backfilled area has been through several seasons and freeze-thaw cycles, the Division requests that this area be ripped prior to topsoil replacement to alleviate compaction and allow for proper root penetration (Colowyo Permit Volume 1, Page 2.05-22). One part of the reclamation in this area that has not been completed (or even started) is the construction of the post-mining drainage channels. There are three post-mining drainage channels in this area that will need to be constructed this season. They are the Taylor Tributary ditch (from approximately station 15+00 to station 40+00), the East Taylor Ditch (from station 0+00 to approximately station 40+00) and the West Pit Ditch (its entire length from station 0+00 to 11+00). These are all riprapped channels that will need to be completed in 2010. **See pictures at the end of this report.** - The West Pit area that was backfilled, topsoiled and seeded in the summer of 2009 was observed from above (on the east side), just below Hink.'s Peak. The area was covered with a small amount of snow but appeared to remain stable. No major gullies or other problems were noted on this portion of the backfill at the time of the inspection. This area will be inspected in more detail as the conditions improve. All of the runoff from this area flows into the series of contour ditches, into the Taylor Tributary Ditch and finally into the East Taylor Pond. **See pictures at the end of this report.** - The East Pit reclamation was inaccessible at the time of the inspection. - The following chart shows the required and completed reclamation at the Colowyo Mine, as well as the reclamation planned for the 2010 field season. (Please also see the map attached at the end of this report.) East Pit Years Acrea a 2009-2010 Reclamation 2009 47.7 West Pit 2009 55.5 2010 35.4 East Pit 2009 31.8 2011 47.4 West Pit 2010* 100 2012 36.2 East Pit 2010* 35.4 Total 166.7 Total West Pit 155.5 Total East Pit 67.2 West Pit Years Acrea a Total 222.7 Block A(2009-10) 92.5 *Proposed Block B(2009-12) 334.3 Block C(2008-12) 249 2011-12 Remainin B&G Total 675.8 East Pit 99.5 West Pit 520.3 2009-2012 Total 842.5 Total 619.8