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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 <br />inspection and the facts or evidence supporting the enforcement action. <br />This was a partial inspection conducted by Janet Binns and Kirstin Fisher of CDMG. The focus of this inspection <br />was collection of vegetation data. Vegetative cover, herbaceous production and woody stem density data was <br />collected. The results of this sampling will be provided to the operator. The mine is a reclaimed surface mine. <br />Seeding of the reclaimed mine occurred in the fall of 1993. This sampling represents the 10'h year following <br />seeding. In 2002, Colorado experienced a serious drought. 2003 has seen a recovery in precipitation levels for the <br />first 6 months of the year. Vegetation on the reclaimed mine site has responded favorably. The landowner, Mr. <br />George Montoya, stopped by during the inspection and confirmed that he has refrained from grazing the site in 2002 <br />and in 2003. The Division will contact him once sampling in 2002 is complete so he may decide to put cattle on the <br />site this season. He indicated if he were to graze the reclaimed mine area it would likely be in late September to early <br />October, for a week to ten days. <br />Vegetation is very good with considerable diversity throughout the site. The site is dominated by a mix of perennial <br />grasses with wheatgrasses, smooth brome, Side-oats grama, and buffalo grass having the greatest frequency. Cover <br />was measured at 43.6% . The required standard at this site is 41%, so the site is achieving the required cover <br />standard. Evidence of erosion was minimal. The permanent gully in the south-central portion of the reclaimed area <br />appears stable and does not appear to be actively enlarging. Live herbaceous production was collected on %: Meter <br />quadrats. Production clippings were weighed wet to determine sample adequacy. Wet production averaged 139.7 <br />grams/MZ. Production standards are based on air dry weight. Plant biomass will be dried then re-weighed to <br />determine dry biomass production on this site. <br />No large bare areas were evident. Topsoil footprint area was well vegetated, though dominated by Smooth Brome. <br />Engleville gulch was in good condition with no sign of recent erosion. Recent sediment deposition was apparent in <br />the gulch adjacent to the sediment pond. Water was present in Engleviile Gulch North of the pond. A small pool of <br />water was present in the sediment pond though well below the spillway pipe. Vegetation was fair to good on the <br />bond embankment. No erosion or downcutting was observed on the pond embankment. <br />Page _$_ of _4-Pages, (date) _06/27/03 , (initials) <br />