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III. COMMENTS -COMPLIANCE Below are comments on the inspection. The comments include discussion of observations made during the inspection. Comments also describe any enforcement actions taken during the inspection and the facts or evidence supporting the enforcement action. This was a partial inspection conducted by Janet Binns of CDRMS. The Grassy Gap mine is a reclaimed surface mine. The mine permit and reclamation liability bond have been revoked by DRMS. DMG notified the property owners, Cross Mountain Ranch, that the Division would be on-site to conduct an inspection on August 29, 2006. Approximately 250 sheep were encountered at the base of the access road to Pit 4, approximately 40 cow/calf pairs were settled on the Pit 5 pond embankment. All pits had experienced some domestic grazing during this growing season. Roads: Access roads to the pits are navigable, though somewhat rutted. Livestock loading or unloading appears to have occun•ed along the access road to Pit 4. Numerous sheep tracks were prevalent along this roadway. Hydroloeic Balance: Pit 5 spoil spring flow is reduced to a trickle. The Pit 5 spring pool is stagnant, full of algal growth and has been heavily used by cattle. Pond 4 was holding a small pool of murky water several feet below the outlet elevation. Grassy Creek is flowing at a trickle. Natural springs along access road to Pits 2/3 had dried up. Reve etag tion: Pit 4 vegetation has been grazed, but not excessively. Vegetation in Pits 5 and 6 has been heavily grazed. Pits 5 and 6 aze very dry as well. Cattle were present on Pits 5 & 6 during the inspection, both pits appeazed overgrazed with grasses grazed down to the crowns. Pits 2 & 3 vegetative cover was good and showed evidence of limited grazing this season. Limited livestock grazing by cattle only had occurred on the lower portions of Pit ]. Canada thistle was heavy in the southern extent of Pit 4. The Division has contracted with Eco-Rx, Inc., to spray the weeds. Eco-Rx is scheduled to spray the Canada thistle and Whitetop on August 30, 2006. The inspector met with Paul Schriener of Eco-Rx, Inc. on August 29, 2006 to provide directions to the mine and provide information regazding the location of the Canada thistle infestation.