_INSPECTION - C1981019 ‎(47)‎

• Permit No: C1981019
• IBM Index Class Name: INSPECTION
• Doc Name: Inspection Report
• Inspection Date: 6/15/2010
• Email Name: JRS
• Email Name: SB1
• Media Type: D
• Archive: No

Colowyo C-1981-019
15 June 10
Pg 12/12
Revegetation/Reclamation Success (cont.): - In the summer of 2009 the Division
noted a large (approximately 10 acre) cheatgrass patch in the 2007-2008
reclamation block in the East Pit. The Division sent Colowyo a map and a shape file
that showed this area. This cheatgrass area borders the new and future reclamation
blocks in the East Pit and, if left untreated, there is a high likelihood that the
cheatgrass will spread into these areas and gain a foothold. Colowyo was instructed
to treat this area to keep the cheatgrass from spreading into the new reclamation.
On this inspection the Division inspected the Cheatgrass area. The area can be
broken down into two distinct areas, an area above the remaining light-use road
and an area below the road (topographically speaking). The area below the light-
use road looked pretty good, as there is very little cheatgrass present. The area
above the road, however, still needs further treatment. Colowyo will need to treat,
at a minimum, the area above the remaining light-use road to eliminate the
cheatgrass and help prevent the spread of the cheatgrass.
Slides and Damage: - In several past inspection reports the Division noted a large rill
and gully area in the 2007-2008 reclamation area in the East Pit. These rills and gullies
were more than two feet in some locations and were beginning to cause problems in
the newer reclamation (specifically the 2009 East Pit reclamation). From the on-the-
ground inspection Colowyo has fixed what appears to be most, if not all of these rills
and gullies. These areas were fixed with a D6 dozer and the areas were reseeded by
hand after they were fixed. The Division has reviewed aerial photographs (taken on
21 June 2010) and it does appear as though the area has been fixed. The Division
will walk these areas again during their next inspection to further verify and
document that all of the rills and gullies in this area were, in fact repaired. **See
pictures at the end of this report.**
- In the 2010 Midterm Review (question #22, dated 10 May 2010) the Division has
requested that Colowyo submit a rill and gully plan. This plan is required no later than
25 June 2010. During the inspection the Division discussed what information would
need to be included in the rill and gully survey.
Excess Spoil: - No material was being placed on either the West Taylor Fill or the East
Taylor Fill. Neither of these fills has been used in 2010 for overburden material. There
are piles of end dumped material on both piles that will need to be pushed-out and
smoothed once the fills become active. All overburden material is being hauled to
the final cut of the Section 16 Pit. Both the West Taylor Fill and East Taylor Fill remain
stable at this time. **See pictures at the end of this report.**
- The Streeter Fill was walked during the inspection. The Streeter Fill has undergone a
Phase II Bond Release and with the approval of Technical Revision 64 (approved on
17 October 2006) all quarterly fill monitoring reports have been suspended. The fill
was well vegetated and stable. There was no cracking, settling or slumping of the fill
and no erosional problems were noted at the time of the inspection.
This completes the 15, 16 and 17 June 2010 inspection report for the Colowyo Mine.