2005-11-15_REPORT - C1982057 (5)

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! • Monitoring ESCO Associates, Inc conducted revegetation monitoring of permanently revegetated areas and shrub establishment monitoring in the shrub plot areas during the summer of 2004. The 2004 Annual Revegetation Monitoring report is submitted as a separate document (ESCO and SCC, 2005). Weed Control Survey for noxious weeds was carried out on the II -W Mine permit area in 2004. Monitoring was conducted in 2004 to determine the need or level of retreatment necessary for areas sprayed in 2003. Canada thistle was the primary target species in all control areas, with lesser activity directed towards areas of hounds tongue and whitetop. The applied herbicide consisted of a tank mix of 2.5 gallons of 22K Tordon and 2.5 gallons of 2,4,D with 250 gallons of water. Escort at the rate of one (1) oz. per acre was spot sprayed on the whitetop. Control areas were sprayed in May and June. A spot spray gun was used to concentrate control activities on target areas, reducing potential impacts to adjacent desirable vegetation. The herbicide mix, based on recommendations from the Colorado State Extension Service, was mixed and applied by the Seneca Mine Reclamation Manager who is a certified applicator. The weed control areas _will continue to be monitored in 2005 for effectiveness and necessary retreatment. See attached weed control daily logs for more detailed description of the 2004 herbicide application. SEDIMENTATION POND SURVEYS SCC is required by Permit C -82 -057 to monitor sedimentation ponds for sediment storage capacities. . This schedule provides a sediment yield history and gives advance warning to operations personnel when sediment clean -out work is required. In accordance with Rule 4.05.6(11)(c), SCC visually inspects each pond a minimum of quarterly each year. During these inspections, any drastic change in sedimentation storage or sudden increase in a sediment delta at the inlet to the pond could be detected which would require mitigation. The results of the 2004 annual survey indicated that Pond 005 capacity calculation was based on the water level in the pond at the time of the survey instead of the elevation of the principal spillway. The status of this pond will be re- evaluated in 2005. Pond 006 was surveyed before the cleanout operations were completed, again this pond will be re- evaluated in 2005. Based on the 2004 survey, all sediment ponds have sufficient sediment storage. Additionally, all ponds have been discharging in compliance with the approved NPDES permit effluent limitations. Yearly sediment delivery estimates to the ponds are considerably less than originally calculated, since the areas in these watersheds have now been reclaimed and revegetated. The results of the annual survey are shown on Table 04.4, Sediment Pond Capacities. STOCK TANKS There was one (1) stock tank T -5 constructed in the "A" Pit area in 2004. The As -built drawing is found in Tab 13, Exhibit 13- 27.T5. WILDLIFE MONITORING Seneca Coal Company contracted Thunderbird Wildlife Consulting, Inc. to conduct wildlife monitoring at the Seneca II mine. The work included: • 1. Winter aerial survey for big game 2. Monitoring three (3) known Columbian sharp - tailed grouse leks 3. Checking golden eagle nests Revised 11105