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Hvdrolo¢ic Balance: Mr. and Mrs. Lux accompanied the inspection to observe the location of the the <br />South Lux spring. The Lux's use this spring to fill a stockpond on their property and to irrigate a 12 <br />acres field. The East Lux (or Coyote) Spring was observed first. This spring was flowing freely at <br />several gallons per minute (visual estimate), or 0.01 on staff gauge in flume. No discharge was <br />occurring from the coyote pond at the time of the inspection so all flow through the flume was <br />attributed to this East Lux Spring. The Lux's stated that they have not observed a reduction in flow <br />from this East Spring this yeaz. The Coyote pond immediately east of the spring is mostly dry this <br />year. The operator noted that this is the first yeaz they remember the Coyote Pond going dry. The <br />inspection continued into the East Buzzard drainage. The Lux's identified two locations that the South <br />Lux spring emanated from. The first location was noted at a point where the meander of the drainage <br />changes abruptly from west to north at the First White Sandstone outcrop. This site was dry with no <br />evidence of recent flow or seep. Vegetation varied only slightly with an increase of Wildrye. This <br />drainage was well grazed by cattle. The further north location of the South Lux Spring was very <br />apparent by the vegetation and surface expression that considerable water had emanated at this point. <br />The site was damp from the previous night's precipitation at the time of the inspection but showed no <br />sign of seep or flow of water. Dense Russian wildrye and occasional Rabbitfoot grass, and Canada <br />thistle patches were noted in this location, indicative of higher soil moisture. No recent evidence of <br />water flow was observed along the channel northwazd to the Lux property. When the spring expressed <br />adequate flow, the Lux's would either direct the water to a stockpond just across the property line or <br />direct the flow to a ditch and pipe system to irrigate a field adjacent to State Highway 13. <br />Mr. Lux indicated that he will submit his concern regarding the dimunition of this spring to the <br />Division in a written letter, and provide water rights documentation along with his stated concem. The <br />Lux's left the inspection once the spring locations had been ascertained. <br />The Division continued with the inspection as a part of the regular I & E program. Ponds were <br />observed. Most were dry or mostly dry due to the recent dry weather. Ponds holding significant <br />amounts of water include; Ute pond-not discharging, East Middle Flume pond-not discharging, No <br />Name SR-discharging 0.1 on staff gauge, No Name 4-not discharging, Johnson l OR pond- discharging <br />0.02 on staff gauge, East Pyeatt #3-not discharging, Oak pond #2-not discharging. <br />Topsoil: At the time of the inspection, scrapers were salvaging topsoil in advance of the F pit and live <br />hauling material to the west side of the pit. Topsoil stockpiles through out the mine site are adegatly <br />identified with identification mazkers. Newly constructed topsoil stockpiles on the east extent of the A <br />pit and the southern extent of the Z pit (adjacent to Horse drainage) were in need of shaping and <br />stabilization seeding. Discussion with Billy Nicholson on the second day of the inspection indicated <br />that the stockpile adjacent to the Horse drainage had been partially shaped on 11/07/01. Seeding of <br />these new stockpiles is scheduled to occur in the next several days. <br />Reve¢etation: TMI has conducted fall seeding for areas graded and topsoiled in 2001. 2000 Shrub <br />research plots located west of Pit F have been re-seeded and %: of the plots have been fenced in <br />accordance with the design. The plots with thin or no topsoil application have a relatively smooth <br />surface. These areas should be observed closely to assure rill formation does not become excessive. <br />TMI has constructed a ditch upslope from these plots to direct runoff away from the study area. <br />Wildlife: Lazge game hunting is occurring in the region. Trapper allows limited hunting on the <br />property but not on the active mining area. During the inspection hunters could be heazd which <br />