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III. COMMENTS -COMPLIANCE <br />Below are comments on the inspection. The comments include discussion of observations made <br />during the inspection. Comments also describe any enforcement actions taken during the inspection <br />and the facts or evidence supporting the enforcement action. <br />This was a partial inspection conducted by Kent Gorham of the Colorado Division of Minerals <br />and Geology (DMG). This mine has closed and reclamation of most areas is complete. <br />The purpose of this inspection was to jointly inspect the site with landowners of a portion of <br />the reclaimed area. In attendance were Linda Saunders, Tena Gallagher, and Paula <br />Coulter, all representing the Vento Group. Mr. J.R. Phillips, manager with the Fremont <br />County weed control office was also invited by the landowners to attend. All parties met at <br />the mine gate as planned at 11 am. Ground conditions were dry and the weather was very <br />hot and breezy. No appreciable rain has occurred since the last DMG inspection. <br />Roads <br />Ms. Coulter expressed a concern about the lack of, or the condition of, the road around the <br />west side of the refuse pile (RDA). Review of Map 33, Southfield Mine Reclamation Plan <br />indicates that no road was constructed on the west side of the RDA. Presently, access by <br />vehicle is limited to travel along the 100-year diversion ditch constructed on the west side of <br />the RDA. During dry conditions, the ditch is wide enough to allow vehicle travel in a north- <br />south direction until the permanent road on the north side of the RDA is reached. Any <br />construction of a road on the west side would require Division approval of a revision to the <br />approved reclamation plan while accommodating the necessary permanent diversion of the <br />RDA drainage. The road was easily passable on this day due to dry ground conditions. <br />Hydrologic Balance <br />Sediment ponds 4 and 5 were both observed dry. Pond 4 controls runoff and sedimentation <br />from the RDA and is on the Vento Group lands. Ms. Saunders expressed a concern about <br />the pond and the lack of water in the pond. According to Ms. Saunders, the pond always has <br />water till September (email of 7/7/2005). Check of the DMG inspection reports each summer <br />since 2000 indicates a small amount of water was observed in the pond eight times and the <br />pond was found dry seven times during the summer months. Inspector Gorham indicated <br />that following complete reclamation and revegetation of previously disturbed areas, it is not <br />uncommon for runoff to be substantially reduced due to infiltration into the soil profile and <br />usage by the reseeded species. The current plan calls for pond 4 to be reclaimed by EFMC <br />following the proper sediment demonstrations. Topsoil is also available for reclamation of <br />the pond and is stored in the northwest corner of the permit area. <br />To soil <br />Two topsoil piles exist, both on the Vento Group lands. Both were reasonably well vegetated <br />and were found properly mark with signs identifying the topsoil. Please see remarks under <br />Revegetation concerning weeds. <br />3 <br />