2010-09-17_INSPECTION - C1981019

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August 24, 2010 C-1981-019/Colowyo Coal Mine JRSc 4f__ that they do hold water at least during the spring snow melt season. These two low spots do not appear to be causing any problems. FISH and WILDLIFE - Rule 4.18: - Numerous deer and pronghorn were seen both on the Phase I/II/III reclamation and on other parts of the mine during the inspection. The presence of big game animals is a regular occurrence on the reclamation at the Colowyo Mine. HYDROLOGIC BALANCE - Rule 4.05 Drainage Control 4.05.1, 4.05.2, 4.05.3; Siltation Structures 4.05.5, 4.05.6; Discharge Structures 4.05.7, 4.05.10; Diversions 4.05.4; Effluent Limits 4.05.2; Ground Water Monitoring 4.05.13; Surface Water Monitoring 4.05.13; Drainage - Acid and Toxic Materials 4.05.8; Impoundments 4.05.6, 4.05.9; Stream Buffer Zones 4.05.18: - The Phase I Bond Release areas in the East Pit, West Pit and Section 16 Pit were all inspected to ensure that they have met the requirements for drainage control reestablishment. There are four ditches within the Phase I, II and III Bond Release area, the Gulch A Ditch, the Section 11 Ditch, the Southeast Tributary to Streeter Ditch and the Southwest Tributary to Streeter Ditch. Each of these ditches will be discussed below. In addition to the ditches within the bond release area, there are several ditches that are not within the area but will convey water from these areas. These ditches include the Streeter Gulch Ditch, the East Side Collection Ditch, the Streeter South Side Ditch, the West Pit Fill Ditch, the East Taylor Pond Ditch, the West Pit Coal Road Ditch, the South Collection Ditch, the Section 16 Pond Ditch and the Section 16 Fill Ditch. These ditches will be discussed below. - All of the runoff from the Phase I, II and III Bond Release areas flows into a sediment pond. The ponds are the Streeter Pond, the Gulch A Pond, the West Pit Pond, the Prospect Pond, and the Section 16 Pond. Although not specifically inspected during this inspection, all of these ponds are inspected on a regular basis during the I&E inspecting process. All of these ponds have been found to be in good repair and properly functioning. None of these ponds are included in the SL-04 or SL-05 Bond Release applications. - There are eight stock tanks located in the Phase III Bond Release area (A, B, C, D, E, F, L and M). Two of these stock tanks, L and M, were observed during the inspection. Both of these stock tanks were approximately 0.1 acres in area with an embankment height of approximately five feet and a spillway for discharge cut into the embankment at a height of approximately two feet from the bottom of the pond. Prior to the release of these stock tanks, Colowyo must provide written documentation that the criteria for permanent impoundments have been met pursuant to Rule 4.05.9(13). Additionally, Colowyo must provide documentation that these stock tanks have been permitted with the State Engineer's Office. Finally, Colowyo must provide a letter from the landowner requesting the stock tanks remain as permanent structures and submit a technical revision to the permit to include the stock tanks as permanent structures. East Pit Ditches and Drainage - The Gulch A Ditch conveys flow from the Phase I, II and III areas of the East Pit and discharges into the Gulch A Pond. The ditch was walked on the inspection from approximately station 59+62 to approximately station 17+69. Elevation readings were taken at locations along the ditch and compared with the design profile shown on Map 33. The attached data and cross-section show that the elevation of the ditch, as constructed, matches that of the design from Map 33. The ditch location was also compared with the permitted location shown on Map 41 and Number of Partial Inspection this Fiscal Year: 3 Number of Complete Inspections this Fiscal Year: 0 Page 6 of 39