Laserfiche WebLink
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 />Reveoetation <br />Interim vegetation cover in the portal area and topsoil stockpiles near the refuse area and adjacent to the lower <br />road segment is well established and effective in most areas. The waste disposal cover soil stockpile was <br />seeded last summer, and grasses germinated in early fall. These stockpiles will be removed in association with <br />the current reclamation project, with the exception of a small quantity of material to remain for final reclamation <br />of the waste disposal area sediment pond. <br />Stabilization seeding conducted last year on the sediment pond embankment and berm, and areas <br />immediately to the east of the waste disposal cell appear to have been less successful. These areas <br />will need to be reseeded in conjunction with permanent reclamationlrevegetation of the waste disposal <br />area. <br />W hitetop weed was recently sprayed recently in various locations, in accordance with the weed control plan in <br />the permit. However, it appears that patches of whitetop in various locations including the waste disposal area <br />vicinity were missed. As indicated previously in this report, whitetop plants with flowering stalks in the immediate <br />vicinity of areas that will be disturbed by on-going reclamation activities should be cut, bagged, and removed <br />prior to further disturbance. <br />Concern was expressed by Henry Austin (OSM), Bruce Fowler (BLM), and myself during the inspection, that the <br />reclamation currently underway would not coincide with an appropriate, approved timeframe for permanent <br />reclamation seeding. My recommendation, after consultation with Division management, is that <br />temporary cover crop seeding be conducted immediately following completion of soil <br />roughening/seedbed preparation this summer, to be followed by dormant season seeding of the <br />approved perennial mix after October 15. Submittal of a minor revision will need to be submitted <br />promptly, to address the details of the amended seeding plan. <br />At the reclaimed Loma Loadout, a relatively good vegetative cover has become established. Seeded perennial <br />grass (western wheatgrass) and the subshrub forage kochia appear healthy and robust. Seeded shrubs four- <br />wing saltbush and greasewood are present at modest densities, along with a significant winter annual <br />component (tumble mustard, blue mustard, annual brome, etc.). Cover on the reclaimed area is comparable to <br />immediately adjacent areas, with the exception that the perennial grass component is higher on the reclaimed <br />area. <br />Some remnant Russian knapweed plants were observed along the berm near the western end of the site, where <br />spraying has been conducted in previous years. Spraying will be required again this year (mid-June), in this <br />location, in accordance with approved permit requirements. A small patch of knapweed located further toward <br />the center of the reclamation had been sprayed last year, and the weeds were apparently killed. However, it <br />appeared that grasses in the immediate vicinity of the small weed patch were also killed. Operator needs to <br />ensure that herbicide application rate and formulation are in accordance with permit and product label. <br />6 <br />