_INSPECTION - C1980005 (34) - 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. (p)The slide feature noted in the aerial inspection is marked for repair on the 2008 Rill and Gully Survey Map, and is depicted on the GPS map as GPS#29, Photo 3973. It is located in the"East Wadge Area", which has not been approved for Phase 1 bond release and is not within the SL-3 bond release request area. (2)Surface and ground water monitoring data, and whether pollution of surface or subsurface water is occurring, the probability of such future pollution and the estimated cost to abate pollution— No evident water quality problems were noted during the SL-3 inspection, nor were any such problems noted during the SL-1 inspection or subsequent inspections, with respect to the SL-3 bond release area. The three sediment ponds within the bond release area (Pecoco, 004, and 008) have been approved as permanent impoundments, and were discharging clear flows at the time of the inspection. Pond embankments were stable and well vegetated. The large Wadge impoundment(Sediment Pond 002) is not within the SL-3 release request area, but receives discharge from the Pecoco Pond and disturbed runoff from areas downstream of Pecoco, within the SL-3 area. Pond 002 has also been approved as a permanent impoundment and was discharging clear flow at the time of the inspection. SCC has submitted water quality monitoring summary data within the narrative and Attachment F of the SL-3 application. This information and additional relevant information from the operator's extensive surface and ground water quality monitoring program will be reviewed by the Division during the course of the SL-3 evaluation, to ensure that the operation's impacts to water quality are within the bounds projected in the approved Probable Hydrologic Consequences (PHC)assessment, and that material damage to water quality is not occurring or anticipated. (3)Stability of reclaimed surface lands— Erosional and mass stability of reclaimed slopes and permanent drainages was a major focus of the 2006 SL-1, Phase 1 bond release inspection, and only a relative few, isolated areas of concern within the SL-3 release request area were identified in that inspection. Despite the fact that 2007/2008 snowpack and resultant runoff in the mine vicinity was unusually heavy, the extent of excessive erosion and slope failure features within the release request area remains very minimal. Generally, past grading and channel construction operations, in combination with good to excellent vegetative ground cover establishment and annual rill and gully monitoring and repair activities have resulted in a stable reclaimed landscape. Remnant minor scarps and cracks from healed or repaired slump features are evident in various steep slope locations, but with exceptions noted, the old slump areas appear to have stabilized and have not moved in many years. A few areas of minor gully erosion, ditch scour, and one small slump were observed within the bond release application area, and stabilization grading or other maintenance will be necessary. The slump and several of the gullies were delineated by the operator on the 2008 Rill and Gully Survey Map; however some of the gullies and segments of scoured road ditches had not been identified on the Rill and Gully Survey Map. The slump and erosional areas that warrant repair are listed below. These features will need to be properly repaired during the 2008 field season, prior to issuance of the Division's proposed decision on SL-3. • Steep segment of ditch along the road between Pond 004 and Pond 008 has eroded, and repair is warranted, Photo 3975, and GPS Feature#39, noted previously under"Past Inspections"section of this report. Minor channel erosion is evident along a segment of PM-6 above Stock Pond T-32, upstream of the riprapped section (see Photo 3978/GPS Feature#13). Stabilization is warranted, and the segment is marked for repair on the 2008 Rill and Gully Survey Repair Map. Noted previously under"Past Inspections"section of this report. 7