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<br />DATE: May 4, 2005 <br />TO: Sandy Brown and Ji Burnell <br />FROM: Dan Mathews <br />RE: 2004 AHR for McClane and Unger Canyon Mines <br />Permit No. C-80-004 (McClane) and C-81-020 (Munger) <br />I have conducted a preliminary review of the 2004 AHR for McClane and Munger Canyon <br />Mines. I need to request Jim's assistance, to conduct the PHC review. The report is largely <br />consistent with last year's report, with the exception that the report included a profile <br />survey along the lower segment of McClane Creek that was diverted when the McClane <br />Canyon road was constructed (pre-8/3/77). I had requested the profile survey during the <br />recent mid-term review, based on a commitment in Appendix "M" of the permit, which <br />indicates that the channel would be monitored for evidence of erosion. <br />McClane <br />McClane Creek Temporary Diversion <br />The diverted segment is relatively straight, and is incised/entrenched. Headword migration <br />of the incision seems to have been prevented by sandstone outcrops a short distance down- <br />gradient from the point of diversion, and I have not noticed apparent changes along the <br />upper portion of the diverted segment since I initially became aware of the feature in 1996 <br />(shortly after I began doing inspections at McClane). The survey appears to show additional <br />incision of up to 5 feet along one segment in the middle portion of the reach, and a second <br />segment at the lower end, near the confluence with East Salt Creek. I checked the entire <br />reach during my April 14, 2005 inspection, documented my observations and took <br />numerous photographs. My intent was to compare my observations and photos against the <br />observations I had recorded in an inspection report of May 20, 1996. Unfortunately, in the <br />imaged version of the subject inspection report, one or more pages are missing trom the <br />Section III narrative, in which I described the observations made at that time. I will try to <br />track down the missing pages, and complete my evaluation prior to preparation of our final <br />AHR review letter. <br />Permit Appendix "M" addresses the diversion segment, and indicates that the channel <br />would be monitored, and "if unacceptable erosion is occurring, corrective measures will be <br />approved and implemented". Upon final reclamation, the road is to be eliminated, and the <br />creek is to be restored to its original flow path, with the diverted entrenched segment to be <br />revegetated. <br />My preliminary assessment, based on the surveyed channel profile, and the observations <br />made during my recent inspection, is that down-cutting and side-cutting erosion has <br />occurred along several segments of the channel, arid additional erosion is likely to occur <br />during periodic, infrequent flood events in future years. I believe the most prudent approach <br />to prevent future incision and/or widening of the diversion channel, would be to install large <br />