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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 inspection <br />and the facts or evidence supporting the enforcement action. <br />gully that previously developed through the fenced upland shrub plot in this area was graded last year to a <br />"V" channel configuration. It has scoured 6" to 8" deeper since the repair grading was performed. Further <br />grading, installation of turf mat, and inclusion of the feature as a permanent channel on the postmine <br />topography map may be warranted. <br />Permanent Channels <br />There is significant permanent channel work to be completed in portions of the 016 and 017 watersheds <br />this year, primarily final shaping and placement of riprap or turf reinforcement mat. Most of the <br />channels that were completed or partially completed within these watersheds last year will require <br />repairs this year. In the 017 watershed, the lower-most 100 foot segment of Channel PM-1, below proposed <br />Stock Pond T-25 was not riprapped last year, and will need to be completed. Segments of the PM-1 channel <br />further upstream in the vicinity of the existing temporary culvert will need to be constructed and stabilized in <br />association with construction of Stock Pond T-25. A short, steep tributary channel segment that ties into PM-1 <br />approximately 150 feet downstream of the temporary culvert has incised 12 to 15 inches, and will need to be <br />repaired and stabilized. <br />The upper part of Channel PM-3, in the 016 North Leg Wadge Pit area, was riprapped last year, but flow has <br />scoured around the riprap in some locations and exposed the channel liner in other areas. Near the location <br />where the riprap ended, material had been piled up along the sides of the channel, causing slope runoff to <br />concentrate and form rill erosion. Proper repairs will be necessary, along with completion of riprap installation <br />along the remainder of the channel. Most of the channels further south in the 016 watershed have not yet been <br />stabilized, and will need to be completed this year. <br />Channel PM-4D will require installation of turf reinforcement mat <br />Older reclaimed channels were not extensively examined during this inspection, but on a previous inspection it <br />was noted that a short segment of the 006 Channel upstream from the 006-NE2 confluence required riprap <br />installation. Some repairs may be warranted in other channel locations, as typically is the case following <br />snowmelt runoff. <br />Topsoil <br />Topsoiling has not yet been performed on approximately 70 acres of graded spoil n the upper reaches of the 016 <br />watershed, primarily within the Sage Creek/Wolf Creek mine block. Other areas to be topsoiled in 2007 include <br />a small area of the lower 017 watershed in the vicinity of the stock pond to be constructed there, as well as <br />various road reclamation locations. Seasonal topsoiling had not yet been initiated at II-W, scrapers were <br />working at Yoast Mine at the time of the inspection. Several small topsoiled parcels laid down late last fall in the <br />upper 016 watershed have been seeded this spring. <br />Revegetation <br />Revegetation success is variable across the site. There are some areas of excellent revegetation, very diverse <br />with significant woody plant density. However, some of the more recently seeded areas, as well as areas that <br />have been subject to repeated disturbance associated with rill and gully or slide repair have significant weed <br />problems. The most pervasive species of concern is Canada thistle. In some areas dense patches of the <br />species have become established. Areas of significant thistle infestation were noted on south facing slopes of <br />the "B" pit, vicinity of Channel 006-NE2 (adjacent to riprap segment), old slide repair area of slope south of upper <br />006 channel segment, along lower fence of large Ridgeline fenced shrub area, and various other locations. <br />These locations and numerous other areas will need to be treated this spring and fall. Some of the worst <br />Canada thistle infestations appear to be associated with the extensively roughened, dr "hummocked" shrublforb <br />seeding areas. Other problem weed species at II-W include whitetop, black henbane, and dalmation toadflax. <br />5 <br />