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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 Janet Binns of CDMG. No Mine personnel were on <br />the mine site at the time of the inspection. No Basin representative accompanied the <br />inspection. The mine is mostly reclaimed with two sediment ponds, an office trailer, several <br />outbuildings, some piping and several roads remaining on site. <br />The focus of this inspection was to assess the vegetation establishment and verify topsoil <br />depths. Reclaimed pond 005 and topsoil stockpile T4 footprint were observed. These two <br />locations have a dense cover of annual species. The dominant species observed were <br />Sunflower (Helianthus annuus),Field bindweed (Convoh~ulus arvense), Goose:Foot <br />(Chenopodium album), Russian thistle (Salsola iberica). Additional species noted throughout <br />the pond and topsoil footprint area include Smooth bromegrass, pennycress, Canada thistle, <br />ragweed, pigweed, thickspike wheatgrass, horsetail and Alfalfa. This list is not a thorough <br />inventory but represents the dominant observed species. Annual forbs are expected to <br />dominate the first two years after seeding. The presence of perennial graminiod species <br />establishing at the base of the annuals are a positive sign toward successful vegetation. <br />Three topsoil holes were dug in the Pond 00~ area. Area had received rainfall i.n afternoon <br />thunderstorms the preceding day. Soil was moist to approx. 4". Below 4" soil was very dry. <br />Holes were dug to 12", I I ", and 13" before ground became too hard to dig. Topsoil was <br />present throughout this profile. Additional organic matter appeared to be incorporated at 4" <br />and 6" below the soil surface. Permit requires 12" topsoil redistribution on this area. <br />Pond 003 was almost dry. Water remains puddled in the middle cell of the pond. Considerable <br />vegetation is present in the western cell. Primary discharge riser appears clear of debris and <br />vegetation. No evidence of pond discharge recently. <br />Facilities Storage yard area did not receive topsoil. This area had surface area ripped through <br />the gravel layer then seeded and mulched. Vegetation beginning to establish in this area. <br />Vegetation is dominated by annual Wheat and Rye, cover crop. Annual sunflower are present <br />throughout, as is Kochia, ragweed, goosefoot, and alfalfa. In lesser concentrations but apparent <br />throughout the yard area are Bachelor buttons, Icelandic poppies, California poppies and <br />narrowleaf phlox. Occasional Scotch thistle were noted as well. North facing outslope <br />remains relatively bare. Mulching of the slope appears to be reducing the form~Rion of <br />erosional features. <br />Regraded facilities area received topsoil. Three holes were dug in the facilities area. Holes <br />were dug until a layer of coarse coaly material was reached. The thickness of topsoil recorded <br />were 9", 5-6", and 8" to coaly layer contact. This area had a topsoil replacement thickness <br />requirement of 3-6" as labeled on map 13-B (dated March 1997). Vegetation consisted of <br />