Laserfiche WebLink
<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 <br />inspection and the facts or evidence supporting the enforcement action. <br />This was a complete inspection of the New Pryor Mine conducted by Janet Binns of CDMG. <br />The mine site was reclaimed by DMG-IML in 1991 as a result of permit and bond revocation. <br />No persons are present at the site. The Walsenburg area has been experiencing a drought. As a <br />result the mine site is very dry. <br />Slopes appear to be stable and there is no evidence of any further erosion. <br />All ponds are dry. The embankment of Pond Z is incompetent and has a hole through it. This <br />pond does not retain water. Very little area drains to this pond: shop area and the North side of <br />the reclaimed area. The north side of the reclaimed area has good vegetation, while the old <br />shop area if well graveled. Local residents mailbox have been located in the graveled area. <br />Pond K remains functional with no spillway or embankment problems. Some gullies exist on the <br />southern slope of the pond. This slope is composed of native hillslope and does not pose any <br />instability concerns. The double ponds are dry. The upper pond has considerable sediment in it. <br />These two ponds collect runoff from the reclaimed pit area. The vegetative cover on the <br />reclaimed area is fair with remnant rills that appears to be inactive. The collection ditch draining <br />to the pond has downcut approx. 18". This depth has remained consistent over the past year <br />and most likely is not actively deepening. <br />No highwalls remain on the site. The subsidence from adjacent historical underground mining <br />has not increased. Although the hole adjacent to the Pryor reclaimed pit remains open this <br />location is remote from any roads and no domestic grazing occurs on the site. <br />Vegetation is in fair condition. The current spring drought has inhibited this years vegetative <br />growth. Yellow sweetclover, green needlegrass and smooth bromegrass continue to be the <br />visually dominant species depending upon which region of the reclaimed mine the observation is <br />made. Many of the grasses are already forming seed heads. <br />No problems are noted aside from the historical underground mine subsidence adjacent to the <br />Pryor reclaimed pit. The Inactive Mines Program has been notified of the subsidence and drift <br />openings and they have assessed the need for closure. <br />