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July 17, 2012 C- 1981- 012/New Elk Mine JHB <br />RECLAMATION SUCCESS - Rule 4.15, Rule 3: <br />The grassland reference area and upland wildlife reference area are located off site at the former Golden Eagle <br />Mine site. Map 10 was used to locate the reference areas. Both reference areas are located on the Bosque de Oso <br />State Wildlife Area. The Grassland reference area was not delineated by fencing, distinct corner posts, or signage. <br />Map 33 shows the location or the reference area. The Grassland location had been disturbed and reclaimed fairly <br />recently (Photo 12). Based on the type of disturbance, and a sealed drill hole(Photo 13), it looks like reclamation <br />of a drill pad. Vegetation was typical of the first growing season after reclamation, and hydromulch was still <br />visible on the ground surface. <br />The Upland wildlife reference area is shown on Map I0,dated 11/1999, west of the grassland reference area. The <br />location identified by the inspector was not identified by fencing, or signage, but two white painted " t" posts were <br />located. This location is just north of a power line. The power line looked fairly new and the area was just north <br />of the second gas well along the Apache Canyon road from the former Golden Eagle ventilation shaft. This <br />location also showed signs of recent disturbance. All Ponderosa, Pinyon pine, Juniper, or Oak brush had been cut <br />down in the general vicinity up on the flat knob. (Photos 14 -17) This activity was recent based on the pungent <br />scent still coming from the cut and crushed pines. GPS points were collected to compare with map locations of <br />the approved reference areas. <br />SUPPORT FACILITIES - Rule 4.04: <br />Facilities at the mine site have been cleaned, graded and organized. The water system lines and concrete vaults <br />have been completed. Several vaults have not been backfilled and some of the piping connections may still need <br />to be finalized. Raw coal and Clean coal stockpiles are large and reaching the limits of the approved storage areas. <br />No new coal is currently being mined or cleaned during the production suspension. <br />SIGNS AND MARKERS — Rule 4.02: <br />Mine Identification signs are in place at access points to public roads. All required information is included on the <br />mine id signs as well as the DRMS phone number. <br />TOPSOIL — Rule 4.06 Removal 4.06.2; Substitute Materials 4.06.4(4); Storage and Protection 4.06.3; <br />Redistribution 4.06.4: <br />The topsoil stockpile storage area is graded and a topsoil identification sign is in place. The small topsoil pile <br />identified in the DRMS June inspection report has been moved onto the larger topsoil stockpile. The topsoil <br />stockpile has not yet been seeded with a stabilization seed mix. <br />Grading of the area south of the subsoil stockpile needs to be better defined to direct runoff into ditch D6. The <br />subsoil stockpile and temporary development waste pile are located on this pad as well. No problems were <br />identified with either subsoil stock pile or temporary development waste pile. <br />Three small piles of gravel are temporarily stored in this area as well. <br />DOCUMENTS RECEIVED: NECC provided and official copy of an engineer's survey of DWDA 42 <br />OTHER (SPECIFY) <br />Number of Partial Inspection this Fiscal Year: 1 <br />Number of Complete Inspections this Fiscal Year: 0 <br />Page 5 of 11 <br />