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<br />PAGE 3 <br />spillways are combined closed channel structures. According to Mr. <br />Mount, the MLRD has directed all permittees in Colorado to <br />reconstruct sediment pond spillways in accordance with the revised <br />regulations, whereas combined spillways must be in an open channel or <br />be constructed seperately. <br />Much of the surface drainage from the old Wolfe Creek reclaimed area <br />is directed through a down drain on a north facing slope adjacent to <br />the haul road. For approximately 100 yards the down drain was <br />exhibiting active erosion. The erosion ranged 3'-5' wide and averaged <br />35" deep for the first 30 yards of the down drain. The remaining 70 <br />yds. of the eroded down drain were progressively worse as it <br />approached the bottom of the slope. The permittee regraded the drain <br />and placed several check dams in it, along with a small surge pond at <br />the top of the slope to control the rate of discharge. The violation <br />was abated on 6/20/91, during the inspection. <br />Another down drain from 2 CMP's under the haul road and above the <br />shop/warehouse complex exhibited active erosion measuring <br />approximately 110 yards long, 1' to 3' deep, and 3' to 15' wide. <br />Again, the permittee regraded the erosion abating the violation by <br />6/20/91. <br />Generally erosion of reclaimed areas was minimal throughout the mine. <br />Some very long and relatively steep slopes had very few, if any, <br />gully or rill erosion. However, with the return of average rainfall <br />patterns recently topsoiled areas could begin to exhibit typical rill <br />and gully erosion. <br />Revegetation of all reclaimed areas is very good with regard to <br />grasses and legumes. However, during the inspection Messrs. Porter, <br />Mount, and I identified several small (ranging from 200 sq. ft. to <br />1/4 acre) areas of sparse vegetative cover. The areas looked as if <br />acidic conditions in the graded spoil may be causing the problems. <br />The permittee should attempt to identify and correct the problem <br />before additional growing seasons are lost. Another problem with the <br />revegetation is the lack of woody plants, such as serviceberry and <br />other shrubs native to the climatic zone in which the Seneca II mine <br />is located. The permittee is currently testing the success of <br />planting seedlings to increase the woody plant density. <br />No violations were identified and no enforcement actions were taken <br />by OSM or MLRD <br />