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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. Sediment Pond 6 contained a shallow pool, frozen over, in the deepest portion of the pond. Perimeter containment ditches were properly maintained and functional. Upper sections of the perimeter ditches that are not currently riprapped will need to be graded and riprapped in accordance with permit design in association with final reclamation soil cover placement on the adjacent mine benches. Wild horse spoor was prevalent on the reclaimed portions of CRDA-I and adjacent reclaimed areas. At the reclaimed stockpile site dvectly east of CRDA-I, a high percentage of the perennial bunchgrasses had been grazed off near ground level, and some trampling damage to 4-wingsaltbush shrubs was evident. Cameo Soil Borrow Area-2 Pond 11 was dry, with no evidence of recent inflow. Pond bottom was approximately 8 feet below the spillway elevation. A small portion of the CBA-2 borrow area was previously stripped of topsoil, but underlying borrow soil was not excavated. Interim stabilization seeding of this area in 1994 was quite successful, and it now blends in quite well to the native vegetation on the remainder of the borrow area from which topsoil has not yet been stripped. Stripped areas can be distinguished from non-stripped areas based on dominant vegetation species (four-wingsaltbush on stripped vs. greasewood on native), presence of weathered sandstone boulders with lichen on native, and the presence of a perimeter collection ditch between the stripped area and the channel of Coal Gulch. The topsoil stockpile sign on the stockpile at (he west end ojthe borrow area has been shot up to the poin! tha! i! is no Jonger legible, and should be replaced CRDA-2 and adiacent areas The top of CRDA-2 has been graded and compacted, and construction of the new upper diversion ditch has been initiated, as described in the inspection report issued October 29, 2001. There was evidence of relatively recent water flow from some areas on top of the pile (apparently from water truck dust spray operations), that caused Tilling in several locations down the upper bench outslope to the terrace drain below. Grading ojthis slope and segments ojlhe upper terrace drain (rJ4J will be necessary prior to cover soil placement. The eastern terminus ojTerrace Drain#4 needs !o be worked prior to cover placement, !o repair rills and to better define the drain (o the perimeter ditch a! design grade. Upper perimeter ditch riprap ins(allation is !o be completed in association with Erna! cover soil placement. Existing perimeter ditches and the existing upper diversion ditch were in general properly maintained and functional. Only one item of concern was noted, a 12"diameter hole in the bottom of the upper diversion ditch, approximately 90 yards from the west end of the diversion, which appeared to be at least 2 feet deep, possibly deeper. The hole needs !o be filled in. The operator conducted supplemental broadcast interseeding of native shrubs and grasses on CRDA-2 reclaimed slopes earlier this fall, in an effort to enhance diversity of the stand, which over much of the pile is heavily dominated by four-wingsaltbush. The fluffy seeds ofgalleta, winterfat, and rubber rabbitbrush were readily apparent on the reclaimed slopes.