_INSPECTION - C1981022 (46) - Laserfiche WebLink

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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 partial inspection conducted by Joe Dudash of the Colorado DBMS. Jim Kiger represented the operator during the field inspection. Main Mine Site The mine id sign was up at the main entrance.The material storage areas at the Elk Creek Mine were well organized. There were no problems with any of the facilities structures.The sediment control system for the Elk Creek facilities disturbances was in place.The water level in pond D was one foot below the top of the riser. The pond embankment was stable and the discharge structures were functional. There were no issues with the cap and powder houses situated just below pond D. There was a large volume of stockpiled coal but no problems with fugitive dust were observed. Elk Creek was flowing through the facilities bench culverts.At the upper end of the Elk Creek facilities bench,the operator has begun earth moving for a methane exhaust facility. The topsoil stockpile had a good vegetative cover and the topsoil sign was up. There were no problems at the east yard as well. Material storage areas were well organized.The east yard gob pile appeared to be stable and had a good vegetative cover. Surface disturbance markers were up. There was no standing water in the east yard sediment pond. At the non-operational Sanborn Creek fan site and substation no. 3 area,there was a little standing water in the sediment pond. The topsoil stockpile was well vegetated and the topsoil stockpile sign was up. The mine id sign was up at the east entrance. Hubbard Creek Facilities There was no activity at the non-operational Hubbard Creek fan site. The entrance gate was locked and the mine id sign was on the gate.There was no water in the sediment pond and surface disturbance markers were in place around the site.There was no activity at the upper Hubbard Creek pad area as well. There was no standing water in the pad area sediment pond either. At the reclaimed Somerset portals area,the mine id sign and surface disturbance markers were up.The entrance road was muddy but passable.The backfill appeared to be stable and was well vegetated. Bear Creek Fan Site The gate at the road entrance off of Highway 133 was locked. The dirt road up to the fan site was in very good condition. The fan was in operation and no problems with any of the facilities were noted. The fence gate was locked.The cut and fill slopes appeared to be stable and the sediment control system was in place.The ephemeral Bear Creek was flowing through the facilities bench culvert.The topsoil stockpile has been seeded but the vegetative cover has not been established yet.The stockpile is protected with waddles and straw bales. The topsoil sign was up on the stockpile and surface disturbance markers defined the disturbed area. c:/word2007/elkcreek/insp0510