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<br />There were some perimeter markers around the disturbed area, <br />however, they were not sufficient to clearly delineate the <br />area. Additional markers need to be placed to clearly show <br />the disturbance created by the North Thompson Creek mine. <br />This is particularly important since disturbance from other <br />mines exist in the area and is intermingled with Abandoned <br />Mine Land work areas. <br />Impoundments: The field inspection found that more <br />impoundments exist then the mine plan or the quarterly <br />inspections indicated. Ponds P-1, P-2 and P-7 remain at the <br />mine even though the mine plans states they have been <br />reclaimed. These ponds have not been inspected and pond P-1 <br />has a single closed channel spillway. Pond P-2 has no <br />spillway and appears to have had part of the impounding area <br />reduced. Pond P-7 has an open channel spillway. At the <br />conclusion of the inspection during discussions with the DMG <br />representative it was agreed that DMG would issue a Notice of <br />Violation (NOV) for failure to reclaim the impoundments. <br />Since that time DMG has changed their position and has instead <br />sent a letter to the permittee requiring the reclamation of <br />the ponds be completed. This action does not appear to be <br />appropriate due to the fact that the permittee had not <br />completed work that was required in the mine plan, the ponds <br />remained and were not being inspected as required by the <br />regulations and one of the impoundments has a single closed <br />channel spillway which is also in violation of the <br />regulations. The letter allowed 30 days for the revision to <br />be submitted, does not specify a time for approval and allows <br />20 days for the work to be completed once the revision has <br />been approved. This is not acceptable especially since the <br />approved plan state the ponds are reclaimed. DMG has stated <br />that OSM has visited the site on previous occasions and had <br />not addressed the ponds. If the current situation existed <br />during a previous oSM inspection and was missed it is no <br />excuse for not taking the appropriate action at this time. <br />DMG should have issued the NOV requiring the immediate <br />reclamation of the ponds in accordance with the approved plan <br />as was agreed to at the end of the inspection. In light of <br />the above a Ten-Day Notice is being issued to address this <br />situation. <br />The emergency spillway for pond P-3 is not constructed as <br />shown in the design. This must be reconstructed to conform to <br />the approved drawing. The remains of the chemical treatment <br />equipment at the T-2 treatment pond needs to be removed from <br />the site since as it is no longer being used. The emergency <br />spillway for the long pond was not identified in the drawing. <br />This needs to be done. The treated mine water discharge is <br />currently being routed to the refuse pond. In order to retain <br />room for precipitation events, the discharge should be stopped <br />6 <br />