Laserfiche WebLink
III. COMMENTS -COMPLIANCE <br />Below are comments on the inspection. The comments include discussion of observations made <br />during the inspection. Comments also describe any enforcement actions taken during the inspection <br />and the facts or evidence supporting the enforcement action. <br />This was a complete inspection conducted by Kent Gorham of the Colorado Division of <br />Reclamation, Mining, and Safety (Division). This mine site has completed reclamation of <br />disturbed areas, excluding ditches and sediment ponds. Ground conditions were dry and the <br />weather was clear and warm. The inspection was conducted on the afternoon of the 13th and <br />the morning of the 15th. Al Weaver of New Elk Coal Company was present on the second <br />day of the inspection. <br />Availability of Records <br />The public copy of the mine records is kept at the New Elk Coal Company (NECC) office <br />located at 122 West First Street, Trinidad CO, 81082, 719-845-0090. Ron Thompson and Al <br />Weaver of NECC, were present during the records inspection. All records were found in <br />compliance as detailed on page 2a of this report. <br />Hydrologic Balance <br />The operator has begun repairing rills and gullies and cleaning ditches of sediment. The <br />sediment deposition in the ditch below area N-2 as noted in last month's inspection has been <br />cleaned using a small dozer. (see photographs). At this time, other areas as previously <br />identified have not been addressed. <br />The lower section of the permanent drainage above pond 6 continues to be a maintenance <br />problem. Straw bales have been re-established but proper function is also compromised by <br />undercutting. The Division suggests riprapping the lower portion of the main ditch up to the <br />section were riprap was previously installed. The tributary drainage to the east of the main <br />drainage would also benefit from riprap, check dams, or straw bales, depending upon the <br />slope of the drainage and the watershed area above. Permitting a small livestock tank at the <br />outlet of the small valley above pond 6 and pond 7 may also slow the delivery of the storm <br />runoff and prevent downcutting until vegetation becomes better established. <br />The wing ditch between Fill 7 and Fill 9 requires cleanout. Fill 7 and Fill 9 downdrains would <br />also benefit from some re-working where riprap has been moved by heavier storm flows. <br />Work on the west wing ditch at Fill 8 remains to be completed. <br />All ponds held modest amounts of murky water, heavy in suspended sediment. None of the <br />ponds appeared to have discharged recently. The sediment marker at Pond 7 is lying on the <br />embankment and should be re-set as soon water conditions in the pond allows access. <br />Other sediment markers require new marking due to weathering. The operator had <br />previously cleaned material from pond 8 (see photographs) before wet conditions precluded <br />further work. This material will be used for rill and gully repair following testing for suitability. <br />Straw bales should be placed on the downslope area of topsoil borrow area BA-3 in <br />accordance with the commitment on page 2.05-58 of the approved permit application (see <br />photograph). <br />3