_INSPECTION - C1982057 (65) - Laserfiche WebLink

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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. General Comments This was an aerial inspection of the Seneca II-W Mine. The site was flown on the afternoon of 5/29/08, and Harry Ranney of the Division took 23 oblique and near vertical digital image photos. The images were viewed by Dan Mathews of the Division on 6/04/08. The images covered portions of the"A", and "B" reclaimed pit areas, the shop area, and portions of the reclaimed South Extension area including the ridgeline vicinity and the 016 and 017 reclaimed watersheds. Snow had very recently melted in most areas, although there were scattered remnant patches in drift locations. Most areas appeared muddy, with standing water from recent melt in low lying areas; most ponds and sediment ponds were full or nearly full. The snow pack was heavier than normal in the mine area this year, and snow cover persisted longer than is typically the case. Saturated soil conditions from the melt have likely contributed to minor slumps and ground settling observed in several locations, and the heavy runoff from snow melt has resulted in rill and gully erosion in various locations on recently reclaimed hillslopes, as well apparent erosion in some locations along reclaimed permanent stream channels. Due to the very recent melt off in most areas, vegetation has only recently initiated spring growth. Although a number of locations were observed where erosion or settlement related maintenance will be necessary this field season, no locations were observed where it appeared that there was off-site erosion or sediment deposition. It was evident that drainage maintenance and erosion repair work had been initiated in accessible areas and was in progress at the time of the flight. Reclamation grading had recently been completed in the equipment storage area immediately north of the shop area. Areas of erosion or apparent instability that will need to be ground checked and that will likely require remedial work this field season are briefly discussed below. Due to incomplete photo coverage, and difficulty making detailed observations based on the aerial images, this is not intended to represent a comprehensive listing. • Apparent settling cracks were evident along the Haul Road "A" cut slope between the shop area and Pond 006; • Minor scarps and/or settling cracks were observed on and in the vicinity of a reclaimed slope located along the"A" Pit reclaimed highwall, to the south of the upper reach of the 006 permanent channel. Two of the cracks are located above (east of)the Ridgeline Access Road on a slope which failed several years previously, one crack is located in the same vicinity, but below(west of the access road). The operator had notified the Division and provided a photo of these features prior to the inspection flight. Some rill and gully erosion was evident the same general area, and it was evident that erosion repairs had already been initiated along the upper 006 channel; • There was evidence of minor slumping in the immediate vicinity of the fenced upland shrub planting area on the north facing slope located southwest of Stock Pond T-5. The slump feature was approximately 60 to 80 feet across, extending from the eastern edge of the planting area to the disturbance boundary further east. The feature was defined by a semi-circular perimeter scarp possibly 1 to 3 feet high, with some apparent bulging; • A gully was noted on the long, steep, seeded fill slope along the segment of the Ridgeline Access Road immediately to the east of the Road "A"junction; • There appears to have been scour erosion beneath the TRM liner in Channel PM-4D, located on the repaired 2006 slide area on the east slope of the ridgeline; repair and replacement of the liner may be warranted; • In the PM-3 watershed of the South Extension Area, there was an apparent settling crack in one location on the slope west of the channel; • There appeared to be concentrated rill and gully erosion on the inslopes of Sediment Pond 016A, along the southeast side of the pond. 3