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III. COMMENTS -COMPLIANCE Below are comments on the inspection. The comments include discussion of observations made during the inspection. Comments also describe any enforcement actions taken during the inspection and the facts or evidence supporting the enforcement action. General Comments This was a partial inspection of the mine site, conducted by Dan Mathews of the DRMS Grand Junction Field Office. There was no operational activity at the site, and no operator contact present. Operator had reported rainfall of approximately Yz inch at the South Portals area and just under 1 inch at the North Portals area the previous evening. Primary focus of the inspection was to check performance and condition of sediment and drainage control structures in various facility locations. Most of the maintenance items noted in the previous inspection report had been properly addressed, but additional maintenance will be necessary due to the recent runoff event. Weather was clear and very warm during the inspection; ground surtace was moist to muddy due to precipitation the previous evening, with water puddled in ponds and low spots in some areas. This is the first significant precipitation since very early in June. Cool season perennial grasses are largely dormant due to the hot dry conditions during the early part of the growing season; warm season grasses remain green, but growth has been limited by the dry conditions. South Portals Area • The upper bench parking area drain appears to have clogged and will require maintenance to restore proper functioning. A puddle has built up in the area of the drain, and the small flow from the portal area seeps now runs across the parking lot and is eventually routed to Sediment Pond 8 via the southern-most of three flex pipes on the bench outslope. • The middle flex pipe (road drainage conveyance) has pulled apart and will need to be replaced. • The north flex pipe (mine bench parking lot drain conveyance) is torn in multiple locations and needs to be replaced prior to repair of the parking lot drain. • The RSRDA upper diversion appeared to have had a small flow and was in good condition. • Water was puddled at the low spot along the berm near the grated entrance, and there were small puddles in Sediment Ponds S and 9, Perimeter collection and diversion ditches and sediment control structures appear to have functioned properly, • Good numbers of seedling shrubs and grasses were noted along the RSRDA perimeter ditch area that was disturbed by ditch repairs last summer. • The flex pipe on top of fhe RSRDA had been replaced as previously requested. RSRDA Borrow Area • Drainage channels and slopes appeared to be in good condition; apparently minimal if any flow in the channels due to the recent rain. North Decline • 016 Discharge site silt fence was in good condition. • Pond 7, SAE sumps, and low spot in permanent channel were muddy, but contained no standing water. The permanent channel apparently carried only a small flow due to the rain. • No appreciable germination of vegetation interseeded last winter was evident. 3