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<br />' III. COMMENTS -COMPLIANCE
<br />Below are comments on the inspection. The comments include discussion of observations made during the
<br />inspection. Comments also describe any enforcement actions taken during the inspection and the facts or
<br />evidence supporting the enforcement action.
<br />This partial inspection of the Hamilton Coal Mine was conducted by DMG staff from
<br />the Durango Office, 484 Turner Drive, Building F, Suite 101, Durango, CO 81301,
<br />phone (970) 247-5469. No activities were observed, no mine personnel encountered
<br />during the time of this inspection. Operator has commenced final reclamation. The
<br />area has received heavy precipitation throughout August.
<br />Mine roads were dry and well maintained. Road side drainage ditches and culverts
<br />were clear and functional.
<br />Sediment pond A, located at the far north end of the permit area was muddy at
<br />isolated locations, standing water was minimal. Primary and secondary spillways
<br />appeared clear and stable, no evidence of recent discharge. Pond embankment and
<br />pond inslopes appeared stable, no evidence of seeping, slumping or excessive erosion
<br />observed. Vegetative cover for the pond embankment, inslopes and pond area
<br />included Western wheatgrass, Galletta, Indian ricegrass, Blue grama, Sand dropseed,
<br />Vetch, Rubber rabbitbush, Cottonwood, Salt cedar, Yellow sweet clover, White clover,
<br />Snake weed, Russian thistle, Prickly lettuce, Downy brome and Sunflower.
<br />Sediment pond B, located at the NE corner of the permit area, was holding water
<br />approximately 1' deep. Primary and secondary spillways appeared clear and stable.
<br />No discharge noted. Massive pond embankment was well vegetated and stable.
<br />Vegetative cover for the pond embankment included at least two varieties of
<br />wheatgrass, Blue grama, Sideoats grama, Galletta, Sand dropseed, Indian ricegrass,
<br />Vetch, Alfalfa, Lewis flax, Yellow sweet clover, White clover, Salt cedar, Downy
<br />brome, Russian thistle, Curly cup gum weed, Sunflower and a few Musk thistle.
<br />Evidence of erosion was observed at the east side pond inlet, erosion control channel
<br />lining fabric has separated, allowing flow to undercut the fabric. Eroded sediments are
<br />contained within the pond.
<br />Vegetative cover for reclaimed areas was dense and diverse and appeared sufficient to
<br />stabilize affected areas and control erosion. Vegetative cover for most of the
<br />reclaimed areas appeared to be at least equal in extent of cover to the natural
<br />vegetation of the surrounding areas and included, but not limited to, at least two
<br />varieties of wheatgrass, Blue grama, Sideoats grama, Indian ricegrass, Sand dropseed,
<br />Galletta, Alfalfa, Vetch, Yellow sweet clover, White clover, Lewis flax, Four-wing
<br />saltbush, Shadscale, Sage, Juniper, Prickly pear, Snake weed, Russian thistle, Kosha,
<br />Curly cup gum weed, Sunflower, Salsify and Downy brome. Noxious weeds, including
<br />Field bindweed, Russian knapweed and Musk thistle were located outside fenced areas
<br />and along the county roads within the permit area but were rarely located within
<br />fenced areas.
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