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<br />All ponds at the site have performed reasonably well since the time that the bond was forfeited. <br />A few pond upgrades and repairs have been necessary. One pond, 15-P1 has filled with <br />sediment eroded from the sparsely vegetated, south-facing slopes that drain to this pond. This <br />pond also appears to be capturing a large amount of the sediment and runoff from areas above <br />the mine disturbance. Repair of the pond, sediment clean-out, and diverting undisturbed area <br />runoff to other locations are options that the Division will be considering to restore the <br />function of this structure. Other ponds at the site show moderate to minimal sediment volumes <br />and continue to perform as settlement basins prior to discharge of any runoff from the <br />reclaimed areas. One clean water diversion, ditch 22-D4, should be removed to prevent <br />diverted water from crossing a portion of the reclaimed area. No significant rilling or gullying <br />has taken place to the degree that affects the post-mining land-use of rangeland, or which <br />would negatively affect the environment. <br />Reclamation Completed and General Reclaimed Area Stability <br />With the exception of rill and small gully erosion, the reclaimed areas show no signs of <br />instability or mass movement. One small bulge developed in 1997 or early 1998 in the far <br />southwestern portion of the reclaimed area. This bulge has it's headwall scarp located in the <br />undisturbed area above the reclamation. No sign of seepage or springs were noted during an <br />inspections in the spring and late summer of 1998. The surrounding, undisturbed areas, in <br />their native state, are occasionally subject to slides, slumps, rock sloughage, and debris flows <br />after significant thunderstorm events. This process is more a function of geomorphology and <br />geology in combination with regional climate, as opposed to instability due to mining and <br />reclamation. <br />Estimate of Continuing Safety, Health, or Environmental Problems <br />The reclaimed area will continue to stabilize with development of the vegetative community. <br />North facing reclaimed slopes appear capable of supporting limited grazing without negative <br />impacts. Steeper, south-facing areas may require some inter-seeding or re-seeding to assist in <br />establishing a more robust vegetative community. Public health and safety is not a concern at <br />this site, as reclamation has removed any mine-related hazards such as highwalls and pits. No <br />open portals remain as a result of Trinidad Basin Mining, although pre-law features may exist <br />in the surrounding area. No springs, seeps or mine discharge occurs at this former contour <br />strip operation. <br />Proposed ReducedIn~pection Frequency <br />The Division proposes to inspect this site on a quarterly basis beginning in October of 1998, <br />resulting in four inspections each year. One of these inspections will be a complete inspection <br />of the site. Additional site visits are likely related to any necessary site maintenance work. <br />This frequency should be more than adequate to document the conditions at the site. <br />