2014-09-22_INSPECTION - C1981038

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September 18, 2014 C -1981- 038 /Bowie No. 1 Mine MLT • Mr. Bear said he had done some grading work on the roadside ditches at the East Mine, above the reclaimed portal bench. This portion of the permit area will be reviewed in a future inspection. REVEGETATION — Rule 4.15 Vegetative Cover; Timing: I walked the perimeter of the reclaimed West Mine. Vegetative cover is good overall (Photo 3). Grasses, alfalfa, and sweetvetch are thriving. A few patches of annual weeds were observed at the top margin, and a few individual, scrawny musk thistle plants. Some yellow sweet clover was present, but overall the vegetation appears to be dominated by seeded species. The smaller reclaimed areas to the north of the main slope were also well- vegetated (Photos 4 and 5). Small patches of Yellow Star Thistle (Centaurea solstitialis) were discovered at the West Mine in 2008. BLM and Delta County worked jointly to eradicate this List A weed from the permit area. During this inspection, I found no YST plants at the 2008 main site (uphill from the Pond W -2 dam), but did identify a few small plants clustered in the ditch along the northern perimeter (Photo 6). I informed Mr. Bear of my find and provided him with details regarding the location; he said he would contact the County weed coordinator. • Across from the West Mine, there is a patch of Canada thistle at the inlet to the culvert that runs beneath the road. On the slope below, it appeared that there are a number of Burdock plants uphill of the rock toe buttress (Photo 7). • Vegetation on the Highway Coal Stockpile area consists predominantly of grasses and alfalfa (Photo 8). • Mr. Bear said the large Tamarisk tree below the Pond 2 binwall was scheduled to be removed over the coming weekend. • Photo 9 shows the upper portions of the East Mine. SIGNS AND MARKERS — Rule 4.02: Mine identification signs were posted as required where the permit boundary intersects with public roads. Mr. Bear showed me a new supply of signs which will be posted where public roads cross the rail siding and spur. • A number of new disturbed area markers (T -posts shrouded in PVC) had been installed at the Loadout - they were visible at the wye on the south side of the river, at the western end of the rail spur (near the coffee kiosk), and at the Black Bridge Road crossing (Photo 10). Mr. Bear said BRL would likely complete the work by the end of September. • The upper gate to the West Mine was open, and vehicle tracks were visible in the grass along the track that crosses just above the reclamation. No people or vehicles were encountered there during the inspection. I closed the gate when I departed. 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: 2 Number of Complete Inspections this Fiscal Year: 1 Page 3 of 8