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Elk Creek Complete Oversiuht Inspection / Special Focus Evaluations: <br />Signs and Markers, De-Gas Boreholes <br />Colorado Division of Reclamation, Mining and Safety (DBMS) Permit ID # C-1981-022 <br />Wednesday June 23, 2010 9:00 - 4:00 <br />Participants: <br />Mike Boulay, DRMS <br />Jim Kiger, Oxbow Mining LLC <br />Christine Belka, Office of Surface Mining (OSM), Badge ID # 182 <br />Howard Strand, OSM <br />Christy Hulsman, OSM <br />Weather conditions: clear, hot (90's), dry <br />The purpose of this inspection was to evaluate the DRMS program's effectiveness in ensuring <br />quality customer service, reclamation success and prevention of off-site impacts. In order to <br />evaluate customer service, we (OSM) field-verified whether DRMS is implementing its program <br />by requiring proper signs and markers to be posted and maintained for mine and permit <br />identification and disturbed area boundaries. To evaluate reclamation success, we gathered <br />evidence at this site regarding backfilling, re-grading, topsoil replacement, and seeding of drill <br />pads and access roads; borehole sealing; erosion control and weed control practices. To evaluate <br />prevention of off-site impacts, we investigated preventative measures and evaluated their <br />efficacy in the field. This information will assist the Team to determine if the required methods <br />for de-gas borehole construction and reclamation have been, or are being, successfully <br />implemented. <br />We inspected borehole sites in varying stages of activity and reclamation. Active sites ranged <br />from newly drilled, to operational, to ready for reclamation. The reclaimed sites can be grouped <br />into two general categories: intermediate (borehole sealed, pad reclamation begun but not yet <br />complete) and mature (those having been completely reclaimed). <br />Borehole pad areas observed include: <br />Mature: <br />• GVB LW-031 (road) <br />• GVB LW 7-03 sediment washed from the pad area downhill, caught by secondary <br />containment wattles <br />• GVB LW 9-01B & GVB LW 10-02 & road reclaimed - could not access but took picture <br />from nearby slope. Forest Service seed mix used (FS surface). <br />• GVB LW 10-03, 10-03B, 10-03C one vertical and two directional boreholes, decent <br />vegetative cover <br />• GVB LW 11-01 A third growing season <br />0 GVB LW 4-01