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III. COMMENTS -COMPLIANCE Below are comments on the inspection. The comments include discussion of obsen•ations made during the inspection. Comments also describe any enforcement actions taken duuing the inspection and the face or evidence supporting the enforcement action. This was a partial inspection of the Hawk's Nest Mines. The reclaimed mine site is completely free of snow. There was water draining into and through the site at a number of locations. Many of the ditches which run alongside old Highway 133 contained or were full of water. Overall, conditions a t the site were fair. There are a number of site maintenance or improvement issues as noted below. Signs and Markers There is only one sign delineating the Hawk's Nest mine area. It is located at the western edge of the west mine reclaimed surface disturbance. [n addition, the sign obviously displays outdated information. The DMG needs to post more appropriate signage at the far east and west ends of the three surface disturbance areas. I~- ydrologic Balance The only sediment pond remaining at the site is adjacent to the loadout. The emergency spillway is open and in good repair. The primary spillway was not located. The pond contained a considerable amount of water but it is not known whether any water was discharging through the primary spillway. The sediment containment berm at the base of the reclaimed east mine azea had breached at 5 locations. Sediment deposition against the uphill side of the berm indicated that the berm had indeed captured considerable sediment runoff from the site. However, in 5 areas the berm had filled to the point where runoff over topped the berm and caused erosion of the berm itself. It did not appear that an appreciable amount of sediment was deposited outside of the berm at the location of the breach. At one location a small wetland had formed and become colonized by grasses and cattails. This vegetation served to hold soil while allowing water to escape through the break in the berm. All the breaks in the berm must be repaired and the capability of the berm to hold sediment and runoff restored. A deer carcass was blocking the ditch above old Highway 133. The Division of Wildlife will be requested to properly dispose of the animal. In addition the culvert inlet just down gradient from the deer is most blocked and needs to be cleared. At the base of the reclaimed slope at the east mine area, straw bales had previously been staked down using roof bolts. The straw bales west of the reclaimed drainage which passes through the site.from north to south appear to be no longer needed for sediment control as adequate vegetative cover has stabilized the soils in this area. Therefore, the roof bolt (stakes) should be removed and properly disposed. Straw bales installed in a similaz fashion east of the reclaimed drainage may need to be replaced and reinstalled, as the vegetative cover is not curcently adequate to stabilize soils.