_INSPECTION - C1980005 ‎(23)‎

• Permit No: C1980005
• IBM Index Class Name: INSPECTION
• Doc Name: Inspection Report
• Inspection Date: 5/29/2008
• Email Name: DTM
• Media Type: D
• Archive: No

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 Mine. The site was flown on the afternoon of 5/29/08, and Harry
Ranney of the Division took 16 oblique and near vertical digital image photos. The images were viewed by Dan
Mathews of the Division on 6/04/08. The site is almost entirely snow-free, although there were scattered remnant
patches in drift locations. Most reclaimed areas at Seneca II were most recently seeded at least two years ago;
in fact most areas are significantly older. Vegetation is now well enough established that, even with the heavier
than normal snow pack and resultant heavy runoff this year, few areas of recent rill and gully erosion were
evident.
One area where final reclamation has not been completed is the solid waste landfill area, located near the upper
end of the PM-10 drainage basin. The landfill has been backfilled and graded, and partially topsoiled. Upon
completion of the landfill topsoiling project, the landfill site and adjacent topsoil stockpile footprint area will be
revegetated.
No areas of significant erosion concerns were noted; ground checks will be made during site inspections during
the field season. Steep slopes in the Pond 008 watershed, in the southeast portion of the permit area,
experienced relatively poor vegetation establishment initially, and have been subject to past erosion and
vegetation re-treatments. In 2007, a series of low gradient V-ditches were constructed across the slope area
where erosion had been most pronounced, in order to preclude further erosion and enhance the potential for the
remedial seeding areas to establish an effective cover. The V-ditches appear from the photos to have
functioned effectively during the snowmelt period. The ditches and associated slopes will be more closely
checked during site inspections later this spring and summer.
One apparent sinkhole type feature was noted, near the perimeter of the reclaimed area, north of Pond 008, east
of where the Light Use Road crosses Channel PM-8. This feature will need to be checked on the ground;
remedial measures will likely be warranted.
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