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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 /> the mine area, where south facing slopes are largely snow free, north facing slopes still have uniform deep snow <br /> cover, and other slopes exhibit patchy snow cover with deep accumulations remaining in swales, lee slopes, and <br /> shaded areas. It was noted that flow was running along the edges of the riprap in permanent channel 006-NE1, <br /> in sections a short distance upstream and downstream of Culvert OW-1 (Photo#s 3827, 3828, and 3829). This <br /> is causing both downcutting and sidecutting erosion, widening out the channel, and potentially resulting in a main <br /> flow path that will bypass the riprap entirely. Proper channel shaping and riprap placement is critical to prevent <br /> this from occurring during high flow events. Maintenance of these channel segments will be necessary <br /> following runoff, and it is likely that such maintenance will be warranted along segments of many of the <br /> permanent channels, given the high flows observed and anticipated. <br /> Backfill and Grading <br /> Snow cover and limited access prevented detailed observations. However, two small slump locations were <br /> observed on recently reclaimed areas of the"B" Pit graded highwall slope, north of the Oil Well Access Road. <br /> One slump feature was near the toe of the highwall slope, the other feature was approximately 2/3 of the way up <br /> the same slope. Minor grading to smooth out the scarp features and fill over the cracks will be <br /> necessary. <br /> Several areas of hillslope rilling were observed from a distance, on recently reclaimed slopes in the"A"and "B" <br /> pit areas where snow had recently melted. Closer assessment will be warranted to determine the severity of the <br /> erosion, whether remediation will be warranted, and remedial measures to be applied. The operator will make <br /> such assessment in association with the Annual Rill and Gully Report,to be implemented and submitted <br /> as soon as ground conditions allow. The report will address hillslope erosion, permanent channel <br /> erosion, and areas of slope instability. <br /> Topsoil Revegetation, Reclamation Success <br /> Due to snow cover, limited access, and season, these topics could not be closely evaluated at this time. <br /> Fish and Wildlife <br /> No deer or elk were observed in the permit area. Roy Karo stated that most of the deer and elk had apparently <br /> migrated to lower elevation range to the west this year, due to the heavy snow cover, and had not yet returned. <br /> Several small groups of antelope were observed in the vicinity of the Tie Across Road, apparently having <br /> recently moved back in to the area with the onset of warmer weather and melting snow. <br /> 4 <br />