2012-10-11_INSPECTION - C1983059

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Mine Site Inspection Mine Name: Terror Creek Loadout Permittee: Terror Creek, LLC Permit ID #: C- 1983 -059 Inspection Date: September 12, 2012 9:15 — 11:30 Inspection Type: Joint Complete Oversight Weather Conditions: Overcast, 60's, damp ground from recent rain Participants: Christine Belka, Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement (OSM) #182 Jim Kiger, Oxbow Mining Jim Stark, Colorado Division of Reclamation, Mining, and Safety (DRMS) Zack Trujillo, DRMS This was a joint complete oversight inspection. The Terror Creek Loadout is a private coal handling facility. Coal sales have recently been down; this facility is operated on an as- needed basis. Employees from the Elk Creek Mine operate this facility when an order is received. This facility processes and loads coal into train cars; no coal is mined here. Roads: All roads within the permit area were in good condition. The main haul road has both paved and unpaved sections. Drainage control structures were in place and well- maintained. Roads did not show signs of erosion or disrepair. Hydrology: Sediment is beginning to accumulate at the inlet of the culvert that carries Ditch B under the office access road; however, the culvert is open and does not require maintenance at this time. All other inspected culverts were clear of sediment and debris and were in good working order. Water was pooled in small sumps along the diversion channel. The sediment pond was holding water but not discharging at the time of inspection. The pond's primary discharge culvert and emergency open - channel spillways were in good condition. The Dugout Pond was not holding water or discharging during the inspection. The combination open - channel spillway was in good condition. All pond embankments were stable and vegetated with herbaceous species. Topsoil: Topsoil stockpiles are well- vegetated, stable, and appropriately identified with "topsoil" signs. Cheat grass has historically been a problem on the stockpiles, particularly on the south facing slope of Topsoil Pile 1. We discussed herbicide options including Journey and Plateau. Mr. Kiger is interested in pre- emergent products. Journey is a post- emergent herbicide, but Plateau might be pre- emergent. Either would be preferable over Round -up because they are more targeted toward grass and weed species whereas Round -up kills all vegetation. Journey or Plateau would allow desirable vegetation to grow while limiting the invasive species. General Compliance: The coal processing area was in good condition during the inspection. A loader was operating to fill trucks with fines to return to the Elk Creek Mine. Coal fines from this facility are loaded onto coal trains at the mine. Because coal -fired power plants pulverize coal, fines are a viable product.