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05-i9-04 12:05PM FROM-DMG GRAND JUNCTION FIELD OFFICE 970 241 1516 T-069 P.005/005 F-55B had snow cover from 3 to 12 inches deep at the time the NOV was issued, and there was continuous snow cover until spring melt in early to mid April. It was in recognit)on of the fact that initiation of work prior to suitable soil conditions would be impracticable, ineffective, and would cause more environmental harm, that the initial extension to May 19, 2004 was grented. I am recommending a further extension of the abatement deadline for the following reasons; 1) Based on my site inspection conducted April 27 through April 29, 1 believe that hillslope rill and gully abatement repairs had been diligently initiated and implemented, as soon as conditions allowed. Ground conditions ware still too wet for access by wheeled vehicles, but south and west facing slope locations had within the past week dried sufficiently for access by small dozer, and significant work had been accorpplished. The operator had rented a wide track D-6 dozer for this task. Many of the old breached contour ditches in upper portions of the "A" pit, which had contributed to hillslope erosion, had been eliminated as specified in the NOV. 2) North facing slope and valley bottom areas were still too muddy for safe equipment access on April 27 through April 29, and there was additional precipkation )n the area on the evening of April 29 end on April 30. Given the ground conditions) observed in late April, it is obvious that the operator would have had a very limited period of time between the onset of favorable ground conditions (probably first or second week of May, depending on area) and the May 19 abatement deadline. It is not reasonable to expect that the extensive repair work associated with multiple hillslope gullies and permanent channel segments in numerous locations could have been completed within the brief period of suitable ground conditions (two weeks or less )n many locations). Now that the field season is underway, with ground conditions suitable for work in all of the areas subject to the NOV, I believe a period of 30 days should be sufficient to allow for the completion of work necessary to abate the NOV. As such, my recommendation is that the NOV extension be granted for a period of 30 days (to June 18, 2004).