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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 tp(~I{~ence supporting the enforcement action. Small groups of antelope were observed on the active refuse piles and at Pond SS-2, near the slot storage facility. Brad Petch, Division of Wildlife Habitat Section biologist for the CraigiRangely area has expressed an interest in a minesite visit, to familiazize himself with mine operations and reclamation activities relative to potential wildlife impacts associated with theDeserado Mine. It is anticipated that a field visit will be scheduled this fall. Reve eg tattoo Surprisingly good initial establishment of seeded species (given the dry growing season conditions) was obtained at the East Portal and Rock Dust sites, seeded in fall, 2001. Grasses in older reclaimed azeas and native azeas in the mine vicinity aze largely dormant. As noted in previous inspection reports, there is generally good cover of perennial grasses in most permanent reclamation azeas, but several of the lazger reclamation sites (e.g. laydown azeas and Refuse Area RP-1) are dominated by a relatively small number of perennial grasses, with very low forb presence in many areas. Shrub establishment success is spotty, with good establishment of fow-wingsaltbush, rubber rabbitbrush, and a few other shrubs in some azeas, but poor shrub establishment in other areas. There has been minimal success with big sagebrush on the larger reclaimed areas. Some die off of four-wingsaltbush has been observed in recent yeazs on the refuse area soil stockpiles, most notably Subsoil Pile 2/3, where a significant number of the 4-wing shrubs are dead or have a very low percentage of live branches. Subsidence Operator had not yet conducted either of the two required Room and Pillaz Area pedestrian surveys for 2002. Scott Wanstedt stated that he would conduct the initial survey during the 3 quarter and the second survey several months later, during the 4t' quarter.