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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 />5/26/06 Site Inspection <br />A partial mine site inspection was conducted on the morning of 5-26-06. Weather was clear and warm; all areas <br />of reclamation were free of snow, and the remnant drifts visible along the east side of the eastern ridge crest <br />visible in the aerial images of 5-18-06 had melted as well. Sediment ponds and stock ponds remained full, and <br />ground conditions were still muddy in low lying areas and north slopes where deep drifts had accumulated. <br />Roads TAHR, MEHR, HRD-A, and HRD-J, were observed and appeared to be properly maintained. The <br />terminal end of HRD-J along the north side of Pond 016A had recently been widened out (cut slope cut back) to <br />accommodate passage of the dragline, which will be moved out of the pit reclamation area within the next few <br />weeks. The entire length of HRD-J will be reduced for post mine use, and the steep cutslope section will <br />be properly modified for final configuration and stabilization in conformance with permit specifications. <br />Hydrologic Balance Sediment Ponds 006, 016, 016A, and 017 were observed; all were full and discharging <br />clear water over the primary spillway riser. Disturbed drainage in the various areas observed was properly <br />contained and directed to the sediment pond. , <br />The French drain in the location of the damaged wells below the Pond 016 embankment was flowing <br />approximately 20 gpm, as normal. There was a small "sink-hole" feature in the immediate vicinity of the <br />damaged wells that apparently opened up this year, apparently caused by piping erosion associated with flow out <br />of the damaged wells. This feature will need to be repaired in association with the final well sealing <br />project to be implemented this field season. <br />Revegetation Winter wheat cover crop had recently emerged in areas seeded in fall 2005. Perennials had <br />recently initiated growth in areas seeded in prior years. More thorough evaluation of revegetation establishment <br />will be conducted later in the growing season. <br />Operator noted that irrigation had recently been initiated for the year in the RMRS aspen study plot. <br />Weed spraying operations had recently been initiated, beginning with whitetop infestations along the TAHR. <br />Canada thistle infestations are present in various locations. During this inspection, thistle patches that need <br />to be sprayed were noted in the vicinity of various sediment ponds and along the lower edge of the large <br />fenced aspen planting area on the neck pit reclaimed area. <br />Backfilling and Grading The dragline was still situated at the lower end of the Wolf Creek final pit; at the time <br />of inspection it was down for repairs. A small amount of backfilling remains to be done in the dragline vicinity. <br />Remaining grading work in the Wolf Creek and Wadge Pit areas in the 016 watershed, as well as road <br />reclamation work and permanent channel construction work will be performed with dozers and track-hoe. The <br />dragline will be moved out upon completion of the remaining backfill work in the Wolf Creek final pit. <br />Some rill and gully repair work had been initiated recently, but work remains to be completed in various <br />locations. The "pilot channel" for permanent channel PM-1, in the 017 watershed had cut a deep gully along its <br />lower end, which continued along the temporary ditch down to Pond 017. The gully along the lower end of the <br />pilot channel and along the temporary collection ditch will need to be repaired promptly. The lower <br />segment of channel PM-1 will need to be constructed down to Hubberson Gulch upon approval of PR-5. <br />Slides and Damage Operator had notified DMG of a slope failure pursuant to Rule 4.12(2) by email and digital <br />photos on 4/21/06, after initial observation of the slide on the evening of 4/20/06. The slide is located in the <br />"Neck Pit" portion of the mine site, in Section 26, T5N R88W. The slide occurred on the steep eastern side of <br />the dip slope ridge that forms the eastern boundary of the mine area. The slide occurred within the location of a <br />previous slope failure that occurred in January 2001. The 2001 slide affected area had been regraded and <br />seeded, and had remained stable until this year. The proximate cause of the 2006 failure appears to have been <br />4 <br />