_INSPECTION - C1981017 (9) - Laserfiche WebLink

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November 8,2010 C-1981-017/Coal Basin Mines SGR summer months. Trees planted in May, 2010 by Aspen Middle School near the crest of the facility appear to have about a 40%survival rate. ROADS—Rule 4.03❑❑Construction 4.03.1(3)/4.03.2(3)❑❑Drainage 4.03.1(4)/4.03.2(4)❑❑Surfacing and Maintenance4.03.1(5)and(6)/4.03.2(5) and(6)❑❑Reclamation 4.03.1(7)/4.03.2(7): The roads and remainder of the site was accessed via all terrain vehicles. Road A,a private road providing public access to the upper portions of Coal Basin was traveled. No apparent changes to the pre-reclamation road drainage system were observed. Road B, which extends due west from the Lamphouse to the intersection with Roads C and D was evaluated. As with the entire site,the reclaimed road has been heavily grazed, limiting revegetation potential to its current condition as the optimal cover and diversity that can be expected at Coal Basin. Two water diversions on the road were marginally functional,and were scheduled for remedial work. Road C extends from the Roads B/C/D intersection to Mine 4. Road C is not passable by ATV beyond the Dutch Creek crossing; approximately 100 yards above the intersection. The Dutch Creek watershed has obviously experienced a severe summer rain storm,perhaps similar in nature to the event that the area experienced during the summer of 1996. Dutch Creek experienced a major flow event, leaving trash lines at or above the road elevation, but causing the channel bottom to scour significantly. It is estimated that six to eight feet of scour occurred at the Road C crossing,rendering it impassable. Minor remedial work may be undertaken at this location following spring runoff in 2011. The only work contemplated is to create a new low water crossing of Dutch Creek approximately two hundred feet upstream of the old crossing, and solely for the purpose of accessing the remainder of Road C and Mine 4. No work to the channel is contemplated, or deemed desirable. Road D extends from the Roads B/C/D intersection to Mines 1 and 2. The road and its drainages, excepting three low water crossings, are in good repair, and are functioning as designed. One low water crossing in need of repair is located just above the Roads B/C/D intersection. The remaining two drainages are located between the "Arctic Circle",where Road D climbs out of the Dutch Creek canyon, and"Windy Point",the last switchback to the west about a mile above the"Arctic Circle". These are slated for fall 2010 remedial work. The Road D avalanche chute,located between the Mine 2 access road and Mine 1 has become incised,and is head cutting into Road D. This site,the scene of previous stabilization efforts,may be re-worked in the early summer of 2011. Work may include widening the base and side slopes of the avalanche out-run, and excavating the base to the west in an effort to prevent future head cutting. Road E,which extends about one mile from the Lamphouse to the intersection of Roads E'/F/G was inspected. The Road E crossing of the North Fork of Dutch Creek has been impacted by high flows, again, likely the same event that impacted the Road C low water crossing and Mine 1 area. The channel has filled at the location of the Road E low water crossing,making travel difficult,but not impossible. Five water bars,located near the head of the Road E landslide are in need of repair. Road F,which accesses Mine 3 from the Road E/F/G intersection,was traveled for about one half mile. A Number of Partial Inspection this Fiscal Year: 0 Number of Complete Inspections this Fiscal Year: 1 Page 3 of 7