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Future work at the site will include site monitoring, accomplishing periodic maintenance <br /> of reclaimed areas, reclamation of the area where the Dutch Creek Flume previously <br /> emptied into Coal Creek, likely the replanting of some of the mine bench outslopes, <br /> noxious weed control and removal of coal waste materials from near Coal Creek at the <br /> Mine 5 vicinity. <br /> Site Observations <br /> The area was first accessible to the main gate by April 5, and was snow free to beyond <br /> the Lamphouse by May 2. The remaining road network was accessible by May 16. <br /> It was noted early in the spring that the 016 ponds, which handle the Rock Tunnel <br /> drainage, and which are permitted through the Water Quality Control Division by Mid- <br /> Continent Resources and / or MidCon, LLC., were in danger of failing, as the primary <br /> and emergency spillways were clogged by organic debris, causing the discharging <br /> water to flow over the embankments. This was a problem which persisted throughout <br /> the summer. Mid-Continent was notified of the problem on a number of occasions, and <br /> would subsequently take action to alleviate the problem. Eventually, Mid-Continent was <br /> able to terminate their NPDES permit, and constructed a rudimentary channel to convey <br /> the Rock Tunnel discharge to the North Fork of Dutch Creek, thus by-passing the 016 <br /> pond system. <br /> The braiding of the Dutch Creek Diversion below the first large meander, which has <br /> been described in previous annual reports, did not measurably change during the spring <br /> runoff. The braided pattern in this stretch continued, without any major changes in the <br /> stream flow pattern. Following the conclusion of runoff, the stream flow in this reach <br /> maintained the braided pattern, with a flow preference to the northern portion of the <br /> channel. <br /> The lower portions of the mine site reclaimed in 1999; the Bear Creek Project portion of <br /> the Old Refuse Pile, and the Facilities Area, weathered the spring runoff without <br /> suffering any appreciable erosion. Maintenance of silt fences, as per our Stormwater <br /> Permit, was accomplished in the spring and throughout the construction season. One <br /> area which did not withstand the runoff as desired was the channel built at the location <br /> of the former outlet of the Dutch Creek Flume. This channel conveyed runoff water <br /> originating from the upper portions of the Old Refuse Pile which drained to pond 009, <br /> located midway up the center of the Old Refuse Pile, to Coal Creek. The ditch failed <br /> about one hundred feet above the stair step reach designed to convey water down the <br /> face of the steep slope immediately above Coal Creek. The failure, which occurred <br /> within the channel (a circular failure within the channel which allowed the flow to remain <br /> within the banks of the channel, rather than a failure of the channel banks which would <br /> allow water to flow out of the channel), resulted in a large volume of dirt flowing across <br /> the stair step reach, resulting in sedimentation within the channel, and a reduced <br /> capacity to handle the flow. Sediment did not reach Coal Creek as a result of this <br /> failure, as a system of silt fences and straw bales had been placed below this area <br /> 2 <br />