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III. COMMENTS -COMPLIANCE <br />Below are comments on the inspection. The comments include discussion of observations made <br />during the inspection. Comments also describe any enforcement actions taken during the inspection <br />and the facts or evidence supporting the enforcement action. <br />This was a partial inspection conducted by Kent Gorham of the Colorado Division of <br />Reclamation, Mining, and Safety (Division). This mine site is currently finishing the final <br />stages of reclamation of disturbed areas. An industrial land use bond release application is <br />currently under review by the Division. Ron Thompson represented the operator during the <br />inspection. Ground conditions were dry in all areas and the weather was cool and breezy. <br />Roads <br />The Lorencito haul road, the Jeff Canyon haul road, and the Lorencito access road are the <br />subjects of a pending industrial land use bond release. The section of pre-existing road <br />reconstructed through the reclaimed area is not part of this bond release. Road surfaces <br />were found very well-maintained with a smooth graveled surface. Road drainage appeared <br />good with no sign of ponding or rutting due to spring snowmelt. <br />Hydrologic Balance <br />Ponds visited including pond 7a, 8, and 9a were found dry. Frequent but small snow storms <br />during the winter did not result in significant runoff from the reclaimed areas. <br />Revegetation <br />Using the 2007 Annual Reclamation Report map as a guide, reclaimed areas were traversed <br />on foot. Beginning in area N-1 (seeded 2004), we traversed the revegetated area observing <br />sprouting and new seasonal growth of existing species. Area N-1 is dominated by alfalfa and <br />has a noticeable abundance of the shrub species winterfat. Grasses are present but not as <br />abundant here as in other reseeded parcels of reclamation. We proceeded onto the steeper <br />slopes of areas E-3, S-3 and S-4. All three of these areas were broadcast seeded or <br />hydroseeded in 2006. New growth is apparent but establishment at this time is not certain <br />due to the short period since reseeding was completed. A series of two photos(shown <br />below) taken from this vantage point looks southwest across areas C-1, C-2 and W-2. <br />- ... - ~ .. - -• a., , 1. ~.. ~ r~ _ :. <br />..~ w.~ _. ...N^y.,. . <br />{~ ~ ~ t <br />~ . <br />'-L~: <br />r ~~ -; <br />~'~ ~ : _ <br />_ ~ . ~~~~ <br />