Laserfiche WebLink
III. COMMENTS - COMPLIANCE <br /> Below are comments on the inspection. The comments include discussion of observations <br /> made during the inspection. Comments also describe any enforcement actions taken during <br /> the inspection and the facts or evidence supporting the enforcement action. <br /> This was a partial inspection conducted by Janet Binns and Dan Hernandez of CDRMS. The Grassy Gap mine is a <br /> reclaimed surface mine. The mine permit and reclamation liability bond have been revoked by DRMS. The <br /> Division has initiated Termination of Jurisdiction procedures for the Grassy Gap Mine. This inspection was <br /> conducted as the"termination of jurisdiction" inspection. <br /> On October 30, 2007, DRMS notified the Cross Mountain Ranch,Ranch Manager, Bernerd Peterson,that the <br /> Division would be conducting a termination of jurisdiction inspection. Although the landowner declined <br /> accompanying the division on the inspection, a suitable inspection date was determined to not interfere with the <br /> landowners hunting operation. The area is closed, by the landowner,to access due to hunting operation after <br /> September 1st, unless arranged in advance with Cross Mountain Ranch. The Office of Surface Mining was also <br /> notified of the inspection date. OSM representatives declined accompanying the inspection. <br /> Hydrologic Balance: Pit 5 spoil spring flow was flowing. The Pit 5 pond is stagnant and full of algal growth, but <br /> was discharging at a slow trickle. Pond 5 embankment appears stable and the spillway is holding up without <br /> evidence of gullying. <br /> Pond 4 was holding a small slightly muddy pool of water. The embankment looks stable with no evidence of <br /> erosion of the embankment. The northwestern collection ditch at pit 4 has breached adjacent to the pit 4 access <br /> road. Runoff from this collection ditch is now routed down the access road. The natural spring along access road <br /> across from the turnoff for Pit 2/3 access road was flowing. <br /> Topsoil:No topsoil piles remain on site. <br /> Revegetation: The vegetation was dry and mostly dormant. Green grass crowns were still evident. The majority <br /> of the grasses had been grazed fairly short in all of the pits. Pit I was the least grazed of all the pits. Noxious <br /> weeds were not observed. The Division previously had identified thistle patches and had conducted herbicide <br /> application on the thistle patches. No evidence of thistle patches were located. <br /> Wildlife: Evidence of elk scat was noticed in pit 4and pit 2/3 indicating recent use by wildlife. Six Sharptail <br /> grouse were flushed up while inspecting Pit 4. A muskrat was observed swimming in Pond 5. <br /> Slides and damage: The land slide west of Pond 4 appears to have stabilized. No recent movement was apparent <br /> and vegetation has healed the slide scarp. <br /> Reclamation Success The reclaimed mine continues to be used for rangeland and is heavily grazed by cattle and <br /> sheep during the growing season. All livestock had been removed from the site at the time of the inspection. <br /> Although the site is heavily grazed annually,the vegetation is in good to fair condition, erosional features are <br /> minimal,and the vegetation does not show evidence of degradation. Down-cutting alongside the rip-rapped ditch <br /> at pit 5 was noted. Runoff is still directed to Ditch 5-1. One spoil monitoring well remains on site at the north end <br /> of Pit 5. 2 DRMS identification signs remain on the site. <br />