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remained some mining debris that was scattered around the site that needed to be removed. The facilities <br />area had been graded to its approximate original contour. The berm that runs parallel to the river and <br />protects the facilities area from river flooding will be retained as approved, as shown on the post mining <br />topography Map 12 and as has been stated in the Division's permit renewal findings documents. <br />The inspection team proceeded up the hillside on the reclaimed access road that leads to the reclaimed <br />east side fan entry area and the west side portal entry area. The backfilled portal entries access road and <br />the two reclaimed conveyor access roads were well vegetated and appeared to be stable. There were no <br />indications of slope failure or erosional gullying. The same was true with the reclaimed fan entry area. <br />The reclaimed slope was somewhat steep but blended in well with the surrounding undisturbed <br />topography. It appeared that approximate original topography had been achieved. The backfilled slopes <br />appeared to be stable. The vegetative cover blended in well with the vegetation on the surrounding <br />undisturbed area. The reclaimed access road continued west past the reclaimed fan entry area and led to <br />the west side reclaimed portal entries area. However, as discussed earlier in this report, only the portions <br />of the reclaimed portal entries access road and the two reclaimed conveyor access roads east of the <br />riprapped drainage ditch are being considered for SL-4. <br />Although not part of the SL-4 bond release inspection, an inspection was made of the west side reclaimed <br />portal entries area. As mentioned previously, this area had been excluded from SL-4 due to slope stability <br />issues with the two backfilled portals. Cracks and holes were observed in the backfill. In addition, there <br />was an odor of smoldering coal in the immediate area. <br />Also not directly part of SL-4, it was noted that tamarisk continued to grow on site in spite of the <br />operator's efforts to eradicate it. Also, cheat grass had established itself on the flat facilities area. Finally, <br />the area where the mine office building had been located lacked any vegetative cover. These vegetation <br />issues need to be taken care of outside of the SL-4 process. <br />On the hillside just below this west side unstable area was the origin point for the hillside spring. The <br />temperature of the spring water as it comes out of the hillside has been measured in previous inspections <br />to be about 100 °F. The spring was flowing into its constructed channel and, then, through a buried <br />culvert into the hillside spring water treatment pond. The treatment pond was discharging through a <br />buried culvert and 4 inch diameter flexible pipe to the North Fork of the Gunnison River at about 10 gpm. <br />The spring water was orange in color but has been found in the past to meet NPDES and receiving stream <br />standards. <br />The field inspection also provided verification that the sediment control system was in place and was <br />functioning properly. There was no standing water in the sediment pond. The primary discharge pipe's <br />gated valve was closed and the pipe outlet was not blocked. There was no debris in the rip-rapped <br />emergency spillway either. The collection ditch that brings water into the sediment pond was well <br />vegetated and had sufficient capacity. The riverside berm, which protects the facilities area from river <br />flooding, was in place and had sufficient height. <br />A second bond release inspection was conducted on December 14, 2010. As had been agreed upon by <br />those who had attended the first bond release inspection, the second bond release inspection was not <br />announced so only the Division was present. During this inspection, the Division verified that the chain <br />link fence, fence posts and their concrete footings, the barbed wire fence and its posts and the entrance <br />gate had been taken down and removed offsite. In addition, the one telephone pole and the telephone wire <br />were gone. Finally, the mine debris that had been scattered around the site, as well as the garbage, had <br />been removed. <br />With the conclusion of the two bond release inspections, the field issues for SL-4 were resolved.