_INSPECTION - C1981016 (2) - Laserfiche WebLink

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October 24,2013 C-1981-016/Hawk Nest E&W JRS the reclaimed surfaces. The Division believes that this objective was accomplished. The site is stable and there are no erosional problems noted on the reclaimed slopes. With regards to wildlife on site,the Division does regularly see mule deer and sign(prints and scat)from both mule deer and elk. Given the small size of the disturbance (approximately 29.4 acres),the impact of this area is small relative to the large areas around the mine disturbance. -The second issue is the fact that there is a lot of mud,rock and debris flows onto the old Highway 133 and onto and over the driveway of Mr. Timbreza's residence (to the west of the West Mine area). When we were conducting the inspection there was evidence of a lot of mud and rock that had recently washed over the road, driveway and into the adjacent lands. There was a good deal of erosion in the native drainage,which carries some of the runoff from the Hawk's Nest mine. Based on information from Kathy Welt of the West Elk Mine,there were at least two 100-year+events in the late summer. These undoubtedly contributed to the major erosion and large amounts of sediment and rock that washed over the road and Mr. Timbreza's driveway. I hiked up the drainage to a large sandstone ledge approximately a half mile up to see what had happened. Based on my observations,it appears as though all of the erosion that contributed to the mud and rock flows was from the native drainage. The drainage was down-cut more than eight feet in some areas. At one spot in the drainage dried mud was observed on a rock at a height of more than nine feet. There was no erosion observed in any of the Hawk's Nest Mine diversions and there was no erosion observed on the Hawk's Nest Mine reclaimed slopes. I shared my observations with Mr. Timbreza following my hike. RECLAMATION SUCCESS -Rule 4.15,Rule 3: -The lower facilities area East Mine area was well vegetated and stable,with no erosional problems noted. The lower area has a"line"that can be seen(just east of the permanent drainage channel)where the vegetative cover is very different. On the east side of this "line"the vegetative cover is good and controls erosion. There are several small patches of Russian Knapweed present in this portion of the reclamation. On the west side of this line the reclamation and vegetative cover is outstanding. Aside from meeting the threshold of controling erosion,the vegetation is lush and diverse and includes numerous shrub species. The upper portal area at the East Mine has very sparse vegetation and somewhat rocky slopes. There was no erosion observed at the upper portal area,even following the intense rain events of late summer. Overall the East mine area is well vegetated and stable. -The small Bleeder Entry area is, as stated above,very steep. Considering the steepness of the slope and the lack of topsoil,the area well vegetated. No erosional problems were observed at the Bleeder Entry area. -The lower West Mine facilities area was well vegetated and stable,with no erosional problems noted at the site. As with the East Mine area,there appears to be a"line"in the reclamation where the vegetation on the west-side of the line is much more dense and diverse. As is stated above,both areas were vegetated enough to control erosion. The upper portal area was also well vegetated and stable. There were no erosional problems noted at the uppe rportal portion of the West Mine. - Overall the reclamation and revegation at the Hawk's Nest Mine is very good. There is a good stand of perennial vegetation that is sufficient to control erosion. While there are a few small patches of Russian Knapweed at teh East Mine facilities area,weeds are not a problem at the Hawk's Nest Mine. Number of Partial Inspection this Fiscal Year: 0 Number of Complete Inspections this Fiscal Year: 2 Page 4 of 18