2014-09-04_INSPECTION - C1981038

Home Browse Search

August 26, 2014 C-1981-038/Bowie No. 1 Mine MLT • Portions of the mine that have been reclaimed appear to be achieving the approved post mining land use of Rangeland. A patch of Canada thistle was discovered at the East Mine, along the far eastern margin of the reclaimed Portal Bench. These noxious weeds should be sprayed this fall. Two large Bull thistle plants were growing on the upstream side of the binwall for Pond 1. These plants could be cut down and disposed of (including the seed heads) in the near future, to help prevent a recurrence. • There is a large Tamarisk tree (Photo 6) on the downstream side of the Pond 2 binwall structure. This tree should be removed this fall, and the stump treated to prevent regeneration. RE VEGETATION —Rule 4.15 Vegetative Cover; Timing: • Vegetation on the reclaimed West Mine and Timber Storage Areas appeared to be thriving, with only scattered individual weeds identified. Winterfat and Cicer milkvetch were flourishing on the slope above the western bank of Stevens Creek (Photo 7). • At the Well Field, the reseeded areas include a significant component of a pungent native plant: Mountain tarweed (Madia glomerata). This species is not listed in the seed mix, so the population is likely volunteer. Alfalfa and yellow sweet clover were also present. Two mature goats (domesticated) were relaxing within the outlet to the culvert that flows beneath Stevens Gulch Road (Photo 8). Chokecherry bushes around the pond were loaded with fruit. • At the East Mine, many of the reclaimed slopes were dominated by an abundance of yellow sweet clover during the June inspection. The leaves have now fallen away, or been eaten by grasshoppers, exposing the other species beneath. Seeded species appear to have been out - competed on some south - facing slopes by mustards and cheat grass. In other areas, where the slopes are more protected, Lewis blue flax, Cicer milkvetch, and wheat grasses are more vigorous. Small burnet, sunflower, alfalfa, prickly lettuce, curly dock, curly -cup gumweed and horehound were also identified. Four -wing saltbush seemed to be doing well along the lower portion of the haul road. • A cluster of four flowering plants was sighted alongside the East Mine haul road, where it wraps around the former portal bench. The plants, which stand 30 to 36 inches tall, were identified as Hooker's evening primrose (Oenothera elata) (Photo 9). AVAILABILITY OF RECORDS —Rule 5.02.4(1): • Permitting records were available for inspection in Basil Bear's office at the Bowie No. 2 Mine facility. A completed DRMS Availability of Records form is appended to this report. • Records for public review are to be posted by the operator at the Paonia Library. There are no revisions for this mine that are currently active. I removed the materials for TR -57 and TR -58, which were formally issued in April and July 2014, respectively. ENFORCEMENT ACTIONS /COMPLIANCE No enforcement actions were initiated as a result of this inspection, nor are any pending. Number of Partial Inspection this Fiscal Year: 1 Number of Complete Inspections this Fiscal Year: 1 Page 4 of 10