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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 an aerial inspection of the Seneca II-W Mine. The site was flown on the afternoon of 9125/07, and <br />Harry Ranney of the Division took 42 oblique and near vertical digital image photos. The images were viewed by <br />Dan Mathews of the Division on 10/02/07. There has been much reclamation work completed recently in the <br />016 and 017 watersheds, in the South Extension of the permit area, and work is continuing, including seedbed <br />preparation and seeding of recently topsoiled areas, permanent channel construction work (including installation <br />of riprap and TRM channel lining materia~, Topsoiling appears to have been completed in the Wolf Creek mine <br />block and remaining portions of the South Leg Wadge Pit Area, in the 016 watershed. <br />Topsoiling appears to have been completed in the remaining area of the 017 watershed Wadge Pit area, and <br />reclamation grading of Road "K" appeares to have been completed. It did not appear that Stock Pond T-25, at <br />the lower end of the 017 reclamation area had been constructed. <br />Older reclaimed areas in the original portions of the permit area showed evidence of recent rill and gully repair <br />activity in various locations. There appeared to be evidence of rills on recently spread topsoil in some locations, <br />that may require stabilization. There appeared to be some renewed erosion in the upper 006 watershed, within <br />the swale north of the aspen test plots and east of the Ridgeline Road; also along the steep road segment from <br />the Ridgeline Light Use Road down toward the aspen test plots (road that was previously reclaimed and water <br />barred). These locations should be ground checked. <br />Stock ponds all contained water, and there was standing water evident in landscape depressions in various <br />locations; evidently there had been significant rainfall shortly before the photos were taken. Water appeared to <br />be ponded at the lower end of Channel PM-4C, at the road ditch junction; ground check and maintenance may <br />be warranted in this location, to ensure positive grade to the culvert PM-10 inlet. Turf reinforcement mat (TRM) <br />had been installed within permanent channel PM-4D, and TRM installation was in progress along Channel PM- <br />2A, below Stock Pond T-27. <br />The dragline was still in place where it has been stored for several months, at the intersection of HRD"A" and <br />the Ridgeline Access Road. <br />A sizable herd of cattle was grazing on the slopes of the reclaimed "A" Pit area in the vicinity of Stock Pond T-5. <br />A small elk herd was observed along the Ridgeline Light Use Road, north of Channel PM-4D. <br />Topsoiling appears to have been completed on all regraded areas, with the exception of the lower segment of <br />Road "K", and possibly certain other regraded road locations. Fence construction appeared to be in progress for <br />the upland shrub planting area above Stock Pond T-26. <br />3 <br />