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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 />General Comments <br />This was a partial mine site inspection conducted by Dan Mathews of DRMS, accompanied by Roy Karo of SCC. <br />Weather was clear and unseasonably warm. The tie across haul road was in good condition. At the mine area, <br />warm weather in recent days had resulted in initiation of snowmelt from the reclaimed areas. South slopes were <br />largely snow free; other areas were still under solid snow cover. Roads and other active use areas that had <br />been cleared of snow were muddy. Access to most areas at the mine was precluded due to deep snow <br />remaining on roads which have not been maintained through the winter. We were able to travel up the Mine <br />Entrance Road, HRD-A, and a short distance up HRD-I to the substation location. <br />Hvdrolooic Balance <br />Sediment Pond 006 was the only sediment pond that could be accessed. The pond was still iced over, but a <br />significant volume of water was discharging over the top of the spillway riser. Discharge rate was considerably <br />higher than observed on February 27, obviously due to the recent initiation of significant snowmelt. Discharge <br />appeared slightly cloudy, typical of discharge from rapid snowmelt. Sediment Pond 005 was not inspected due <br />to deep snow cover along "G" Road. Dennis Jones, SCC Hydrologist, reported that he had accessed Pond 005 <br />by snowmobile several days previously, and the surface level of the pool was still a foot or more below the top of <br />the spillway riser. <br />Roads <br />The Tie Across Haul Road was in good condition. Mine area roads that had been maintained over the winter <br />were muddy and rutted in some locations. Maintenance grading will be warranted when conditions allow. <br />Ditches and culverts appeared to be functioning properly. <br />Mr. Karo pointed out a location a short distance to the north of the TAHR intersection with County Road 27, <br />along the power plant road, where Routt County is planning to re-route a short segment of the county road that <br />ties into C.R. 27 from the west. This planned re-route, would relocate the intersection of the two county roads <br />further to the north, away from the current intersection of the TAHR, power plant ash haul road, and the two <br />county roads. The new public road segment would be partially within the Seneca II-W permit boundary, but <br />because it is a public road that is not associated with mine operations, it does not fall under DRMS jurisdiction <br />and SCC will not be required to obtain revision approval or other authorization from the Division to allow the <br />Routt County Road Department to proceed with the project. <br />3 <br />