INSPEC33859 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

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. To soil Topsoiling was completed in all 2003 grading areas last fall, with the exception of the east draining Swale area along the ridgeline, near the south boundary of the original permit area. Conditions had been too wet until recently, but topsoiling of this area was in progress during the inspection. Topsoiling had been completed or was in progress in various 2004 graded areas within the South Extension Area, as well as 2005 graded areas along the Ridgeline Wadge pit section in the South Extension. Revegetation/Reclamation Success Approximately 25 to 35 acres of final graded slopes in the "A" pit area that were topsoiled in late 2004 did not get seeded, due to weather and ground conditions. These areas are scheduled for seeding within the next week. Portions of this area on steep slope will be extensively roughened and broadcast seeded. Revegetated areas were not closely examined; more extensive assessment of revegetation will be conducted later in the growing season. There was recent emergence of seeded species on most areas seeded in the fall of 2004. An area of concern was noted in several areas of the lower "D" Pit reclaimed area, where a dense infestation of black henbane, a biennial noxious weed, has become established. Appropriate control measures will need to be initiated to prevent the current crop of weeds from producing seed, and control measures will likely be necessary for several years due to the persistent seedbank associated with this species. Black henbane has been observed as scattered individuals on the mine site in the past, but the dense patches present this year have not previously occurred, and prompt, thorough control is critical to prevent the spread of this noxious weed. Work appears to be progressing on schedule in the aspen study plots. Installation of irrigation lines and the soil moisture monitoring network is underway. Volunteer aspen sprouts have been flagged and weeded. Installation of the irrigation system, precipitation and soil moisture monitoring systems, as well as weed control and vegetation monitoring is being conducted by the Forest Service Rocky Mountain Research Station, overseen by Dr. Wayne Shepperd. The irrigation tank is to be set up on the top of the hill above the plots within the next couple weeks. There are two soil treatments within the aspen study plot fenced area, a "normal" treatment in which the aspen trees were dozed off prior to soil salvage, and a "modified" treatment, in which the aspen trees and other woody plants were mechanically chopped into small chunks using a rotoclear machine. The woody material expelled from the rotoclear machine was incorporated into the soil during the salvage operation. The only planting done within the study plots are the aspen samplings harvested from a location in the Yoagt Mine permit area, and planted last fall within the irrigation treatment study blocks inside the fenced area. The area inside the fence but not within the treatment blocks has not been seeded or planted, to assess the extent of volunteer establishment of aspen and other native species from propagules (root and stem segments, 4