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October 26, 2010 C-1981-012/New Elk Mine JRS <br />cost estimate in conjunction with TR-54. <br />HYDROLOGIC BALANCE - Rule 4.05 Drainage Control 4.05.1, 4.05.2, 4.05.3; Siltation Structures 4.05.5, <br />4.05.6; Discharge Structures 4.05.7, 4.05.10; Diversions 4.05.4; Effluent Limits 4.05.2; Ground Water <br />Monitoring 4.05.13; Surface Water Monitoring 4.05.13; Drainage - Acid and Toxic Materials 4.05.8; <br />Impoundments 4.05.6, 4.05.9; Stream Buffer Zones 4.05.18: <br />- Pond 1 contains water that is pumped from the mine workings. The pond contained water approximately 8 feet <br />below the primary spillway. New Elk was using the water for their water truck to control dust on the roads. The <br />pond was well vegetated and stable and no erosional problems were noted. <br />- New Elk has cleaned Pond 6, which is a pond for thickener water from the prep plant. The pond cleanings went <br />into a temporary stockpile. It was indicated that this pond will be lined. The pond embankment was well <br />vegetated and stable and no erosional problems were noted. <br />- Pond 7 contained water just below the second weep hole, at an elevation of approximately 7375.5 feet, and was <br />not discharging at the time of the inspection. The sediment in the water did not appear to be settling out, as it was <br />very dirty at the time of the inspection. There was a large amount of sediment at the pond inlet, which New Elk <br />should consider cleaning out. The pond embankment was well vegetated and appeared to be stable. No erosional <br />problems were noted. Based on the water level in the pond and the pond designs, as detailed on permit page 2.05- <br />10a, New Elk will need to allow the pond to discharge through the gated valve. The current water level, at <br />approximately 7,375.5 feet, is above the maximum allowable level of 7,373.3 feet required to retain a 10-year, 24- <br />hour storm event without discharging through the emergency spillway. New Elk will need to draw down the pond <br />at least 2.2 feet to be in compliance with the permit requirements. The problem is that the discharge will probably <br />be out of compliance with the NPDES permit due to the large amount of sediment that has not settled out. <br />- The roadside ditch by the temporary stockpile area (where the pond cleanings are being transported and stored <br />prior to hauling to the refuse pile) were partially full of sediment and will need to be cleaned. The culvert that <br />runs from these ditches to Pond 7 was clean at the time of the inspection. There was a sump in place in front of <br />this culvert but it has filled in with sediment. This sump should be dug-out when the ditches are cleaned. <br />ROADS - Rule 4.03 Construction 4.03.1(3)/4.03.2(3) Drainage 4.03.1(4)/4.03.2(4) Surfacing and <br />Maintenance4.03.1(5) and (6)/4.03.2(5) and (6) Reclamation 4.03.1(7)/4.03.2(7): <br />- The haul road to the refuse pile was stable and well maintained at the time of the inspection. No erosional <br />problems were noted on the road. The roads in the facilities area were also stable and well maintained. <br />SUPPORT FACILITIES - Rule 4.04: <br />- New Elk has removed one of the two water tanks that were on the water tank bench in preparation for erecting <br />the new water tank proposed with Technical Revision 54. New Elk is reminded that NO work proposed in the TR- <br />54 submittal can be done prior to receiving a proposed decision from the decision and the conclusion of the public <br />comment period. <br />- New Elk is currently working on upgrading the existing substation location. They are currently using a <br />temporary substation for power. <br />Number of Partial Inspection this Fiscal Year: 3 <br />Number of Complete Inspections this Fiscal Year: 1 <br />Page 3 of 11 <br />