_INSPECTION - C1981015 (14) - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

III. COMMENTS - COMPLIANCE Below are comments on the inspection. The comments include discussion of observations made during the inspection. Comments also describe any enforcement actions taken during the inspection and the facts or evidence supporting the enforcement action. This was a complete quarterly inspection of the reclaimed Fruita mine permit revocation site, conducted by Dan Mathews of the DRMS Grand Junction Field Office. Weather was clear and mild. Surface soils were moist; the site was free of snow except for widely scattered patches on the north facing slopes of wooded draws. The sediment pond contained no water; pond bottom was dry. Site conditions were essentially unchanged from those described in the December 2007 inspection, with the exception of seasonal changes (e.g. less snow cover, and some recent initiation of vegetative growth). Signs and Markers The DMG revoked permit I.D. sign is still present on the old gate at the site entrance. The condition is unchanged from previous inspections; damaged by bullet holes but Division phone number remains legible. Hydrologic Balance Sediment pond and associated spillway structure were as described in the November 9, 2006 inspection report. The pond bottom was moist, but due to the deteriorated condition of the primary spillway, the pond does not retain water. Erosional features at the site have not changed appreciably in recent months; they remain as described in the November 2006 through December 2007 inspection reports. Erosional features that may warrant remedial measures to ensure that reclaimed slopes and drainage channels are not compromised include gully headcut and incision immediately downstream of the toe of the riprap on the permanent channel on the steep Mine 1 bench outslope, gully headcut and incision on the Mine 1 portal backfill slope and along upper segment of the permanent channel on the relatively flat top of the Mine 1 bench, a location where riprap was dislodged from the permanent channel near the center section of the steep riprap segment, and rill erosion along the lower-most segment of the reclaimed access roadbed. A total of$50,000.00 has been granted to DRMS by OSM, from the OSM pool of civil penalty monies. The total amount was received in two separate award increments; notification of the second ($35,000.00) increment was received just today. The $50,000.00 in funding from OSM, plus remaining bond monies ($2794.00) will be used to implement pond embankment/spillway modifications, erosion repairs, riprap installation and other measures to prevent pond embankment failure and to stabilize drainage features and portal backfill locations that are threatened by existing and potential future erosion. It is anticipated that the work will be performed in the fall of 2008. Revegetation As described in recent reports, there is good establishment of seeded shrubs in most areas, and good establishment of both seeded grasses and shrubs along the reclaimed access road to the upper bench. However, there are some locations where perennial establishment remains sparse, and reseeding or interseeding of such locations may be undertaken in association with the site stabilization project discussed above.