_INSPECTION - C1981041 (38) - Laserfiche WebLink

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S l , 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. Historic seep locations along terrace drains on eastern portions of CRDA-1 were moist at the surface, but not saturated. The underdrain outlet near the Pond 6 inlet location was also damp. Support Facilities The Division previously approved a technical revision application to allow use of the rail loadout(UTL) by another entity(Halliburton)for storage, loading and unloading of specified construction materials. Halliburton has completed some grading adjacent to the rail siding and set up a portable loader/conveyor, which has been operated periodically since November 2007. Halliburton had recently hauled a significant volume of construction soil to the site for future operational use; the material was stockpiled north of the rail switch location in the southern portion of the rail loop, as approved in a recent minor revision application. The North Portal (Cameo)substation and remaining powerline structure between the substation and the loadout will be reclaimed in conjunction with reclamation of the loadout facility, anticipated during 2008/2009, pending approval of PR-4, which is currently under review. Transformers were previously removed from the substation. The Substation "A"site was properly reclaimed and silt fenced in 2007. Vegetation cover is currently dominated by winter annuals. The Substation "B"site and associated bore hole location was reclaimed several years ago, and now supports a diverse stand of vegetation dominated by seeded perennials. The reclaimed South Fan site and access road supports a fair to good stand of seeded grasses and shrubs, though cattle grazing impacted grass establishment initially, prior to fence installation. The site is utilized heavily during the winter and spring by mule deer. At the North Decline reclaimed area, a cheatgrass control program utilizing herbicide application and interseeding was implemented in 2006/2007. To date, the control efforts do not appear to have been successful. There was essentially no emergence of seeded species in 2007, and the cover of cheatgrass and associated winter annuals appears to be significantly higher now than was the case last spring. At the RSRDA soil borrow area, seeded vegetation cover has slowly but steadily increased since the seeding in 2002. Winter annuals are still a significant component of the stand, but perennial grasses and forbs are represented at higher densities than in the immediately surrounding undisturbed areas. The electric fencing around the seeded area is down, and will need to be repaired and functional prior to turnout of cattle in adjacent areas. At the 2-West Portals, the portal sites themselves support very little vegetative cover(apparently due to a combination of soil conditions and steep slopes), while adjacent stockpile and substation reclaimed areas exhibit good perennial establishment. Revegetation/Reclamation Success Revegetation success was not closely evaluated, due to season (cool season perennials have only very recently initiated growth). Success has been variable; the best success over a relatively large area is at CRDA-1, where a diverse stand of cool and warm season grasses, forbs, and various shrubs has been established, with minimal presence of winter annuals or other weedy species. Most other large reclaimed areas exhibit a relative lack of one or more desirable components, and heavy abundance of cheatgrass and associated winter annuals (annual wheatgrass, annual barley, storksbill, etc.) is a widespread problem. Cover has been sufficient in the various reclaimed areas to prevent excessive erosion. During the inspection on March 19, the seeding contractor, WD Yards, was on site applying hydro-seed and hydro-mulch to the extensively roughened outslopes of Access Road 1 A, and to a small area in the vicinity of Pond 8. The seed and mulch was properly applied in two separate operations; seed first, 6