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III. COMMENTS - COMPLIANCE <br />Below are comments on the inspection. The comments include discussion of observations <br />made during the inspection. Comments also describe any enforcement actions taken during <br />the ~nspect~on and the facts or evidence supporting the enforcement action. <br />This was a partial inspection conducted by Kent Gorham of the Colorado Division of <br />Minerals and Geology. Ground conditions were wet and the weather was unsettled. <br />This former underground mine site is reclaimed. <br />Hydrologic Balance <br />Ciruela Canyon, east of the reclaimed area, was flowing slightly due to recent <br />rains. The flow was noted as extremely muddy and a high water marked was observed <br />some 6 inches above the current water level. Diversion of runoff from the <br />reclaimed area continues in accordance with the post-mining drainage design. No <br />rills or gullies were noted on reclaimed areas traversed during this inspection. <br />Fish and Wildlife <br />Hen turkeys with small juvenile turkeys were noted feeding on the reclaimed area <br />formerly occupied by the water tanks (area M, 1998 ARR map). <br />Revegetation <br />Scotch thistle plants were noted along the road and on the reclaimed material <br />storage and were mechanically removed as encountered. Canada Thistle is becoming <br />established in the west corner of this area (labeled I on the 1998 ARR map). This <br />patch of noxious weeds should be sprayed this fall and/or next spring. Grasses <br />are well established on area I (1998 ARR map), particularly on the east side. <br />Soil Methane Monitoring <br />The area of methane contamination in the soil east of the mine permit area was <br />observed. Four two-inch wells had been installed since last inspection. Three <br />are up-gradient of the east well and one is located down gradient to the southwest <br />of the former gas well. Inside the wells are small tubes that will be used to <br />monitor for methane at discrete levels in the wells. Vegetation continues to be <br />patchy and necrotic areas show no significant change. <br />Intense lightening cause termination of the inspection. No problems were noted. <br />3 <br />