_GENERAL DOCUMENTS - C1981017 (249)

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GENERAL The winter of 1994/1995 was characterized by relatively mild conditions. Significant snowfall occurred late in the season, with large accumulations occurring in March and April, 1995. Snow continued to fall at the Mine entry elevations through mid-June. The spring was cold and wet, to the point that the snowmelt runoff was significantly delayed. Coal and Dutch Creeks did not appear to crest until mid-June, which is two to three weeks later than the reported normal peak. Higher elevation snow pack was persistent at the mine entry elevations until mid-July. The sustained snow pack led to continued higher than normal water in the creeks, and caused a delay in project initiation at Mines 3 and 4 . The snow pack at Mine 3 during the pre-bid site showing may have negatively impacted the bid amounts for this project. Climatic conditions improved substantially after mid-July. The remainder of the summer was dry and warm. The majority of the reclamation work at the site was accomplished during the period of August 1 to October 1. No weather delays were experienced by the reclamation contractors until September 18. The fall was characterized by a long and relatively warm indian summer. Intermittent snow storms periodically interrupted work at the site. However, the majority of the reclamation work had been accomplished, and only maintenance and field data collection efforts were impacted by fall snows. After October 31, the mine entry areas were generally inaccessible due to snow accumulations. SPRING AND EARLY SUMMER (PRE-CONSTRUCTION) The field season began on April 3 , 1995, which was when the site was first visited in 1995. The area was accessed via skis from Redstone, as significant snow pack was still present at the time. Following this visit, arrangements were made with the Colorado Department of Transportation to plow open the access road from Redstone to the mine gate. A telephone bid (Spring Maintenance Bid) was published in late April and awarded in May for the purpose of having equipment and operators available on short notice during spring run off. This was deemed necessary so that stream crossings and the road drainage systems remained functional during the anticipated heavy run off. Other activities contemplated in the bid included installation of temporary sediment control measures and a limited amount of snow removal. Resources had not performed sediment pond maintenance in quite some time. The ponds from the Rock Tunnel down to the east side of the Old Refuse Pile were somewhat suspect in that these areas had seen heavy use over the past three years due to the on-going demolition activities. The Old Refuse Pile ponds (001) , Sutey ponds (021) Old 4