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III. COMMENTS -COMPLIANCE Below are comments on the inspection. The comments include discussion of observations made during the inspection. Comments also describe any enforcement actions taken during the inspection and the facts or evidence supporting the enforcement action. This was a complete quarterly inspection of the mine site and office records. Operations were active and the site was generally well maintained. The inspection was conducted with Walter Whitledge, Mine Manager. Weather was clear and mild. The September 9 storm event that produced flooding in the Munger Creek watershed apparently was less intense in the McClave Creek watershed. Ephemeral drainages in the permit area showed evidence of flow, but flows appeared to be below bankfull levels. Some maintenance of road drainage structures, diversion structures, and disturbed area drainage controls is warranted, and items of concern are addressed below. Available Records Required records were on file and up-to-date through the 2ntl quarter, 2005. See attached Form. Roads Road surface was well maintained and in good condition. Road ditches and culverts functioned effectively, but maintenance is warranted in the following locations: Clean-out material stored on the side of the road near the upper road culvert inlet sump should be moved to the sediment storage area or Munger Waste disposal area. The in-ditch sump above the sediment pond is nearly full of sediment, and culvert inlet sumps along the road above the sediment pond have same accumulated sediment and warrant cleanout. Maintenance of the lower road ditches and silt fence outlet locations between the sediment pond area and the East Salt Creek bridge is warranted to remove accumulated sediment. Hydrologic Balance Minewater discharge pumping was initiated during the inspection. Flow out of the 4" discharge pipe was running somewhat cloudy. The operator immediately shut down the pump, and discharge lasted for only a few minutes. Apparently, foot traffic in the immediate vicinity of the underground sump had stirred up sediments in the inflow stream. Discharge is normally very clear. Underground mine foremen were advised to make sure that sump water was fully settled before starting the pump. The large drop inlet diversion culverts in the mine portal area were in good condition, but the small Watershed "F" culvert inlet, on the cut slope above the shop building requires maintenance to remove accumulated sediment form the inlet vicinity. This has proven to be a high maintenance culvert. The operator should give consideration to revising the drainage control plan to abandon the culvert, if it can be demonstrated that the sediment control system including the sediment pond is adequately sized to handle the additional flow from the undisturbed Watershed "F". The sediment pond was full of muddy water, to a level slightly above the gated primary spillway elevation. The pond was not being discharged. The pond embankment was in good condtion, with no evidence of seepage or instability. Grasses seeded last fall on the pond embankment are establishing well. Maintenance is recommended in the sediment pond inlet area, which was scoured by recent flow events. Grading and placement of large rock is warranted to prevent further erosion.