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 />General Comments <br />This was a partial mine site inspection conducted over the course of two days (July 5 and July 9) to check status <br />and progress of the on-going reclamation project. I was accompanied by Jim Stover, engineering consultant to <br />CAM, on both days; Mike Boulay of the DRMS Grand Junction Field Office accompanied on the inspection of <br />July 9. Mike is a hydrologist and has expertise in channel design and installation, and I had requested that he <br />accompany me to inspect the work that is under way on the permanent channels from the mine bench (Channel <br />"H"), down to the lower end of the steep canyon segment of the access road (Channel "A"). <br />W Bather was clear and warm during both visits and site conditions were dry. There has been very little <br />precipitation at the site during June or so far in July, and daily high temperatures have been close to 100 <br />degrees since mid-June. East Salt Creek at the bridge was dry, as was Munger Creek. <br />Reclamation Project Observations <br />Mine Bench Area <br />• Grading, topsoiling, seedbed roughening, and seeding have been completed on the graded mine bench <br />area. The temporary cover crop ("Quick-Guard" sterile triticale hybrid) was hand-broadcast seeded on <br />June 25. Ripped areas along the powerline route up the canyon were also seeded with the cover crop. <br />The dirtwork and seeding in these areas appears to have been properly completed. <br />Riprap installation along Channel "H" will need to be substantially re-worked, to incorporate smaller <br />diameter riprap, eliminate gaps in the installation, and provide a proper channel cross-section along the <br />entire length of the channel. Approved design specifies trenching to "key in" the riprap at upper and <br />lower ends of each riprap channel. The importance of proper anchoring of the fabric underliner at the <br />upper end of each channel in association with the key installation was stressed with Jim Stover and <br />Scott Harr (Kiewit Construction Foreman). It was noted that a corner of the underliner at the upper end <br />of Channel "H" was not properly anchored, and will need to be properly installed when the section is re- <br />worked. <br />• The steep segment of the cattle trail below the reclaimed bench has been properly completed, however <br />the water bars along the segment need to be more substantial, to ensure that runoff water will be <br />effectively diverted. <br />• Some of the silt fences were very shallowly anchored into the soil, and will need to be properly anchored. <br />• At the inspection on July 5, it was noted that an old section of cable that had been bolted to the <br />sandstone had not yet been cut down. This was not re-checked on July 9; bolt and cable need to be cut <br />out and removed (if not already done). <br />Access Road (Canyon Section) <br />• Grading and roughening along upper-most segment of road between Channel "G" and Channel "H" had <br />been completed. Along this section, the top of the compacted backfill bench has been only slightly <br />rounded in accordance with the approved design which calls for relatively flat terrace benches at the <br />crest and toe of the backfill for enhanced stability. The vertical crest of the steep cut slopes along this <br />section were rounded to the extent practicable. <br />