2015-01-30_INSPECTION - C1992080

Home Browse Search

January 27, 2015C-1992-080/Carbon Junction MineMLT HYDROLOGIC BALANCE -Rule 4.05 Drainage Control 4.05.1, 4.05.2, 4.05.3; Siltation Structures 4.05.5, 4.05.6; Discharge Structures 4.05.7,4.05.10; Diversions 4.05.4; Effluent Limits 4.05.2; Ground Water Monitoring 4.05.13; Surface Water Monitoring 4.05.13; Drainage –Acid and Toxic Materials 4.05.8; Impoundments 4.05.6, 4.05.9; Stream Buffer Zones 4.05.18: Repairs made to the riprap in the Carbon Junction Channel permanent diversion and the Unnamed Tributary (Photo 2) appear to have been successful. The twin culvert pipes that carry the permanent diversion beneath the paved road were inspected. The inlets (Photo 3) and outlets were found tobe clear. We observed one location in the downstream half of the permanent diversion, adjacent to the paved haul road, where a buildup of sediment may need to be removed in order to maintain the capacity of the channel (Photo 4). We detected the odor of HS, Hydrogen sulfide, in the area between the reclaimed South Pit 2 (now part of the gravel permit area) and the two-track road that circles the south side of the Previously Reclaimed Spoils Area (PRSA). It smelled like a geothermal spring, althoughno evidence of such a feature wasobserved. BACKFILL and GRADING –Rule 4.14 Contemporaneous Reclamation 4.14.1; Approximate Original Contour 4.14.2; Highwall Elimination 4.14.1(2)(f); Steep Slopes 4.14.2, 4.27; Handling of Acid and Toxic Materials 4.14.3; Stabilization of Rills and Gullies 4.14.6: All disturbed areas have been previously backfilled and graded, and the operator has received full Phase I and Phase II bond release. Two wells, 82-4 and 95-1, are proposed to be retained as permanent features. Well permits for these installations have been issued by the State Engineer’s Office. RECLAMATION SUCCESS -Rule 4.15, Rule 3: The footprint of former Topsoil Stockpile #2 was inspected, and found to tie in reasonably well with the surrounding terrain. Nonoxious species were found to be growing, although much of the footprint was covered with a few inches of snow. REVEGETATION –Rule 4.15 Vegetative Cover; Timing: Small areas of the permit, such as the outslopenear the south end of the paved road, were disturbed to repair erosion that occurred in September 2014. These areas should be reseeded if that was not done at the time of the repairs. Thistle rosettes were noticeable in certain areas of the reclamation. The heaviest concentration exists on the north-facing slope of the Upper Carbon Junction Channel, regraded and seeded in November 2013. Canada thistle was identified previously amongst the willows in former Pond 2, and a few Musk rosettes are scattered on the reclaimed North Pit slopes. Number of PartialInspection this Fiscal Year: 3 37 Number of CompleteInspections this Fiscal Year: 3Page of