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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 />the bond release inspection on August 14, downcutting approximately I foot deep was observed at the <br />lower end of the permanent relocated channel road dip, and repairs (grading andriprap placement) were <br />requested. Repairs were completed by the operator and 1 observed the completed repairs on August 24. <br />The eroded area had been properly graded, a synthetic mat had been laid down, and large sandstoneriprap <br />had been firmly set in place over the mat. <br />South Fan <br />South Fan disturbances subject to bond release were properly delineated on the amended bond release <br />application map. Sediment control berms associated with the various disturbances as depicted on the South <br />Fan Installation bond release map will need to be maintained as described for the 2-West Portalberms, and <br />bond monies will need to be retained for berm removal. Some fan components and electrical transformers <br />removed from the reclaimed site have been stored temporarily at the junction of the reclaimed South Fan <br />road and the 2-West Portals Road. These materials will need to be removed in conjunction with 2-West <br />portal electrical facilities removal, if not before. <br />Documentation submitted by the applicant indicates thatbackfilling and grading in this area was conducted <br />in compliance with the approved plan. This assessment is supported by observations and measurements <br />made during the bond release inspection on August 14, l5, and 24, 2001. <br />Detailed regrading plans were not available for the small disturbance areas associated with the South Fan <br />location and associated soil borrow area. However, at both locations the graded areas blend into the <br />adjacent undisturbed slopes with no exposed cut slopes or abrupt transitions. The areas were graded rough, <br />with no erosion evident, and sediment controls were in place in accordance with approved plans. The <br />reclaimed slope gradient at the South Fan was estimated with anAbney level to be 30%. <br />South Lease Exploration Sites and Roads <br />The amended bond release application includes certain additional documentation on South Lease <br />Exploration sites and roads requested by the Division. The documentation includes a location map with <br />drill hole designations, and a January 7, 1998 letter from Catherine Robertson of the BLM Grand ]unction <br />Resource Area, concerning reclamation of the drill site access roads on BLM property. <br />The drilling program and reclamation was conducted in the 1980's. I conducted an inspection of the I I <br />reclaimed drill sites and associated reclaimed access roads on June 26, 1997 (see Inspection Report issued <br />July 16, 1997). Pertinent observations from that inspection report are excerpted here below: <br />On June 16, l! exploration sires and associated roads which had been approved under <br />technical or minor revisions in 1984 or 1985 were inspected. The sites were all within <br />the permit area, although several were quite remote and reaching them required <br />extensive hiking over sleep terrain. Records indicate [he drill holes were plugged, and <br />approximately 7 acres ojdrill pads and temporary roads were reclaimed in the jail of <br />1985. <br />The drill pads appeared !o be adequately reclaimed. Records indicate that the holes were plugged <br />and abandoned in accordance with the approved plan, although al/ ojthe sealed Notes had <br />apparently been covered over dttring the course ojrec/amation and could not be located. <br />