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August 18, 2010 C-1981-019/Colowyo Coal Mines <br />section, trapezoidal shape was noted and riprap sizing appeared more in compliance in the 2010 reclamation area <br />with the approved design as found in section EXH. 7-14C of the approved permit. <br />(**See Picture 6**) <br />In contrast, some side cutting was observed in the sections below this location and will continue without repair and <br />re-shaping below approximately station 15+00. Large, oversized riprap similar to that found in the East Pit Ditch <br />was noted in the lower most section of the Taylor Tributary Ditch. The operator has failed to construct the lower <br />most section of the Taylor Tributary Ditch in accordance with the approved plan. This ditch segment is included <br />in NOV CV-2010-004. <br />(**See Pictures 7 and 8**) <br />RECLAMATION SUCCESS - Rule 4.15, Rule 3: <br />- The vegetation in the 2009 East Pit and West Pit reclamation areas looks pretty good for first year growth. There <br />were a fair number of annual weeds but there were a lot of grasses below the weeds. The growth and condition of <br />the revegetation looks like first year growth. <br />- There were two patches of thistle noted on the 2009 East Pit reclamation area. The location of the first patch was <br />on the flatter portion of the reclamation between the Prospect Ditch and the North Tributary, East Pit Ditch. It was <br />mainly concentrated along northeast portion of this area and along the interface with the undisturbed area. The <br />location of the second patch was at the lower portion of the Final East Pit Ditch. Colowyo will need to spray these <br />areas to keep the weeds from spreading further into the 2009 reclamation and the reclamation scheduled for 2010 <br />in the East Pit. <br />TOPSOIL - Rule 4.06 Removal 4.06.2; Substitute Materials 4.06.4(4); Storage and Protection 4.06.3; <br />Redistribution 4.06.4: <br />- Colowyo was still replacing topsoil in the 2010 West Pit reclamation block. Colowyo will be replacing the <br />topsoil per the approved topsoil replacement plan approved through Technical Revision 82. This replacement plan <br />calls for a variable topsoil replacement depth, with the topsoil being shallow at the ridgelines and becoming <br />gradually thicker towards the drainage bottoms. Once the topsoil replacement is completed the Division will <br />verify the replacement depth to determine if Colowyo has correctly implemented the TR-82 topsoil replacement <br />plan. <br />Number of Partial Inspection this Fiscal Year: 2 <br />Number of Complete Inspections this Fiscal Year: 0 <br />Page 5 of 14