Laserfiche WebLink
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 />This was a complete quarterly inspection of the reclaimed Fruita mine permit revocation <br />site, conducted by Dan Mathews of the DMG Grand Junction Office. Weather during the <br />inspection was clear and warm. Surface soils were relatively dry, with the exception of the <br />bottom of the sediment pond, which was muddy from inflow within the last couple of <br />weeks. There was evidence of a significant recent runoff event. <br />Signs and Markers <br />The mine I.D. sign with DMG address and phone number remains in place on the mine gate <br />and, despite damage from bullets and shotgun pellets, the DMG phone number remains <br />legible. <br />Roads <br />The mine bench access road was reclaimed (extensively roughened, seeded, and drainages <br />reestablished) in 2000. <br />Hvdroloaic Balance <br />No offsite impacts were evident. The sediment pond remains in place. The pond bottom <br />was muddy, with no standing water. There was evidence of significant recent runoff into <br />the pond and higher in the watershed, likely from a high intensity storm event that occurred <br />in the Bookcliffs on September 9. Sediment level in the pond remains approximately 4.5 <br />feet below the top of the spillway riser. Bentonite seal of a hole near the base of the riser <br />described in the December 2004 inspection report may have been compromised. Small <br />cracks along the interface between the bentonite and the buried section of the primary riser <br />may indicate that water flowed along the interface and entered the discharge pipe, possibly <br />through cracks or holes along the joints in the buried pipe. <br />Vegetation cover along the reclaimed road, the relatively flat upper bench area, and the <br />lower facility reclamation areas is quite good, with a combination of four-wing saltbush, <br />shadscale, rabbitbrush, western vvheatgrass, and Indian ricegrass present at varying <br />densities in these areas. Seeded perennials have also become established on the steep, <br />south facing slopes of the #1 Bench outslope, and the smaller, #2 Mine backfill slope, <br />however cover and density of perennials is significantly lower in these areas. Overall, <br />vegetation establishment on reclaimed areas appears to be sufficient to control excessive <br />wind and water erosion. This visual impression is bolstered by vegetation cover data <br />collected by the Division in May 2005, reported in the May 19, 2005 inspection report. <br />Vegetation cover sample mean was 43.9%, compared to the applicable success standard of <br />22.5%. An error in the initial data work-up resulted in reported cover of 43.2% in the May <br />report. Corrected data summary demonstrates that sample adequacy was achieved and the <br />cover standard was met. <br />There is gully erosion present within the disturbed area, but such erosion is limited to areas <br />impacted by concentrated flow from offsite areas; for the most part within planned, <br />permanent drainage channels. The extent of gully development does not appear to be out <br />