_INSPECTION - C1981033 (58) - Laserfiche WebLink

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Bear#3 Complete Oversight Inspection / Special Focus Evaluation: Signs and Markers Colorado Division of Reclamation, Mining and Safety(DRMS) Permit ID# C-1981-033 Tuesday June 22, 2010 9:00—4:00 Participants: Joe Dudash, DRMS Bill Bear, Bear Coal Co. (BCC) Christine Belka, Office of Surface Mining (OSM), Badge ID # 182 Howard Strand, OSM Christy Hulsman, OSM Weather conditions: clear,hot (90's), dry This was a complete oversight inspection as well as a special focus evaluation of signs and markers at the Bear#3 mine. In order to evaluate customer service in Colorado, we (OSM) field- verified whether DRMS is implementing its program,by requiring proper signs and markers to be posted and maintained for mine and permit identification and the disturbed area boundary. The Bear#3 mine is a reclaimed underground site. All facilities and machinery have been removed. A hillside spring continues to flow from below the old portal area and is channeled to the passive treatment pond. The water is orange,but analysis indicates it is an organic acid associated with clays close to coal. It is not iron staining and is not toxic to plants or animals. The water temperature was last measured at—100' F. The passive treatment pond always discharges as a result of being fed by this spring. The pond was discharging through the principal spillway to the river at the time of inspection. The emergency spillway was clear and appeared functional. The smaller sedimentation pond was holding some water but not discharging at the time of inspection. The pond is wetland-like with emergent vegetation. The open rock-lined emergency spillway appeared functional. The primary outlet culvert was partially clogged with rocks and sediment. Mr. Dudash asked Mr. Bear to have the culvert cleaned. A chain-link fence marks the disturbed area boundary along the river[road portion of the permit area. This is the most likely side from which the public would approach. Green signs and white posts delineate the disturbed area where the fence leaves off. No disturbed area markers are present on the slide portion of the site. Because this area is unstable and potentially very dangerous,it is not advised that any personnel enter.the area to install markers at this time. The mine identification sign is posted at the entrance road and contains all of the necessary information. No explosives are used at this site, so no explosives signage is present or required. The old facilities area is struggling. Large areas are devoid of vegetation and weeds have taken hold throughout the site. Weed species include tamarisk, thistle,white top,and cheat grass. A Phase I bond release application for the area is still pending debris and weed removal. An old barbed wire fence has mostly fallen down but remains on-site. Mr. Dudash instructed Mr. Bear to remove it with the other"debris"for Phase I bond release.Non-mining related trash was found