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v, <br />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 site, <br />conducted by Dan Mathews of the DMG Grand Junction Office. Weather during the inspection <br />was clear and warm. Surface soils were dry. The sediment pond contained no water; pond <br />bottom was dry. <br />S~ci ns and Markers <br />The mine I.D. sign with DMG address and phone number remains in place on the mine gate and, <br />despite damage from bullets and shotgun pellets, the DMG phone number remains legible. <br />Roads <br />The mine bench access road was reclaimed (extensively roughened, seeded, and drainages <br />reestablished) in 2000. <br />Hvdroloaic Balance <br />The sediment pond remains in place. The pond bottom was dry. Sediment level in the pond <br />remains approximately 4.5 feet below the top of the spillway riser. <br />As described in previous inspection reports, the spillway riser structure is not currently capable of <br />functioning as designed. Inflow from storm events over the last year has piped along the buried <br />section of the riser and drained out of the pond through the discharge culvert, with no retention <br />time. The lack of retention time is not a significant concern, because in 2005, the Division <br />determined that vegetation cover on the reclaimed site was adequate ensure that sedimentation <br />from the site is not in excess of premine conditions. The spillway structure condition is <br />unchanged since the inspection of March 23, 2006. Please refer to the inspection report dated <br />March 27, 2006, for a more thorough description. <br />Condition of reclaimed area drainage channels and extent of channel erosion was essentially as <br />described in the September 16, 2005 inspection report. <br />Backfill and Grading <br />Backfill slopes appear stable, with no evidence of slumping, caving, or excessive erosion. <br />Conditions were essentially as described in the September 16, 2005 inspection report. <br />Reveoetation and Reclamation Success <br />Cool season perennial grasses along the reclaimed portal access road have recently produced <br />seedheads. Most of the cheatgrass and annual barley grasses have matured, produced seed, <br />and are now dried out and brown. March precipitation was near normal this year, but April and <br />May have been very dry. Other than seasonal stage of vegetative growth, site conditions are <br />essentially unchanged from the previous inspection. <br />