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.:~ <br />III. COMMENTS -COMPLIANCE <br />Below are comments on the inspection. The comments include discussion of observations made during <br />the inspection. Comments also describe any enforcement actions taken during the inspection and the <br />facts or evidence supporting the enforcement action. <br />This partial inspection of the Arness-McGriffen Mine was conducted by Wally Erickson <br />from the DMG Durango office, 484 Turner Drive, Building F, Suite 101, Durango, CO <br />81301, phone (970) 247-5193. The permit for the Arness-McGriffen Mine was <br />revoked over 5 years ago. Financial warranty was forfeited and utilized for final <br />reclamation. <br />Roads - The mine access road remains open to provide access to public lands, located <br />east of the permit area. Recent vehicle traffic was evident on mine access road. <br />Evidence of erosion was observed in side drainage ditches and on driving surface of <br />mine access road. Drainage relief cut in road side drainage ditch, located near switch <br />back turn, has conveyed concentrated drainage onto reclaimed slopes. Concentrated <br />drainage has eroded backfilled slopes, resulting in 2' deep gully, approximately 15' in <br />length. Gully outlets to lower portion of access road. Jeep traffic has short cut the <br />switch-back turn, resulting in additional destabilization of reclaimed areas. <br />Revegetation -Musk thistle and Canadian thistle were established along the access <br />road, at the switch-back turn. Recreationist have utilized backfilled slopes to test <br />climbing ability of their jeeps. Vegetative cover was not evident in the section of <br />backfilled slope utilized by jeepers, but was well established where jeep traffic had not <br />occurred. Evidence of mild erosion was observed in jeep traffic areas. As erosion <br />progresses in areas currently de-stabilized by jeep traffic, the jeep creeps will <br />presumably relocate their sport to more stable slope sections. <br />Backfilled slopes appeared stable and reclamation vegetation was well established in <br />areas not impacted by jeep traffic. Reclamation efforts at the Arnes-McGriffen Mine is <br />at risk due to mis-use by the public. <br />