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G81-013: CC. Kent Gorham memo 2, Mr. Don Chavez stated that the ditch was cleaned out in 1993. The Chavezes have run water in the ditch in 1993, 1994, and 1995. Mr. Chavez stated that the ditch is generally cleaned every other year. Willows 6-8 feet tall were present growing within the ditch. Stem diameters were up to '/z inch. Evidence of beaver activity noted through stretch of ditch running immediately adjacent to the river. This stretch of river that has begun to meander and cut into the bank close to the ditch. Ditch bottom contains sediment which felt like sandy loam. A headgate is located on the ditch West of the Golden Eagle Mine road. This is Mr. Topal's headgate. A 3 ft. high berm has been erected across the ditch immediately downstream from this headgate. The Chavez's have water priority No. 42, while Mr. Topal has priority No. 63. There is an approximate 18 inch to 2 ft elevation increase in the ditch bottom at Topal's headgate to the ditch bottom downstream of Topal's berm. East of Topal's headgate and berm there was a lack of sediment observed and the ditch bottom was fairly well covered with grass. The sides of the Chavezes' ditch have been gouged immediately downstream of the Topal berm. The inspection continued along the irrigation ditch and across the Golden Eagle haul road. No problems were noted until 2 concrete drop structures upstream of the D-13 ditch and C-14 culvert. Flows in the irrigation ditch have downcut the ditch immediately downstream of these two concrete structures. The ditch east of the C-13 culvert has been cleaned of coal fines. Basin removed fence at the western boundary of the Chavez's hay meadow (Deguero's property leased by the Chavezes) in order to clean fines out of the North-South ditch in 1994. The fence was replaced using some of the existing fence posts, 5 Roof bolts, and 2 t-posts. The fence at the t-post and roof bolt locations was sturdy. The roof bolts allow for some flex in the fence but are well anchored and the fence is secure. Mr. D. Chavez stated that he felt that coal fines entering the field had killed the alfalfa in the field. No evidence was observed of coal fines on the surface of the field. The pasture is a Smooth bromegrass/Alfalfa/Vetch pasture. The field is dominated by bromegrass and appears to be in good condition. Observances of alfalfa was infrequent throughout the field. Vetch sightings were even less frequent. The amount of alfalfa did not appear significantly different in areas near the affected ditch versus portions of the field to the east and north of the ditch. One could assume that few coal fines would have made it to the further reaches of the Northeastern portion of the field. The Chavez's field to the east of the Deguero field reportedly did not have coal fines deposited into it. The same species were present within this field as the western Deguero field. No difference was noted between vetch and alfalfa frequency between the field. These observation were visual only and not collected with vegetation sampling equipment, or intended to reflect statistical sampling. No evidence of salt affected soils were observed. No bare spots or salt deposition on the soil surface was evident.