_INSPECTION - C1982057 (59) - Laserfiche WebLink

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y 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 a partial inspection of the Seneca II-W Mine, accompanied by Roy Karo, SCC Reclamation Manager. Weather was clear and warm. Snowmelt runoff was in progress; west and south facing slopes were snow free, with patchy snow cover remaining on north and east facing slopes in the mine area. Reclaimed drainages were flowing from the melt. Northern portions of the mine including the shop area, and reclaimed areas from the"A" pit and further north were accessible. Southern portions of the mine area including the ridgeline Neck Pit area, and the 016 and 017 watersheds were inaccessible due to remnant drifts on roads that had not been maintained through the winter. The mine has been largely reclaimed, with the exception of the shop area and entrance road. Roads The Tie Across Haul Road, Mine Entrance Haul Road, Haul Road "A", and major portion of the Ridgeline Access Road were open and were driven. The Ridgeline Access Road was blocked by a drift between the"A" Road intersection and the aspen test plots. Road "J"was drifted over, as was the Ridgeline light use road, which prevented access to southern portions of the reclaimed area. Seasonal maintenance is warranted in various locations along the roads, most segments of which have only recently melted off and dried sufficiently to allow for access and maintenance. • On the Ridgeline Road approximately 120'west of the Pond 005 embankment, concentrated flow had resulted in a short gully up to 1 foot deep on the road embankment. Repair is necessary; riprap or TRM installation appears to be warranted. • Ditch maintenance had.recently been performed in the vicinity of the Mine Entrance Road/Road "A"/Oil Well Road junction, and the location which has exhibited problems during runoff in the past, appeared to be in good condition. • The T-2 and T-3 sediment check ponds along Road "A", south of the shop area, were both full of water and appeared to be functioning properly. TRM inlet channels to the check ponds appeared to be functioning well. The check ponds will likely need to be excavated to clean out accumulated sediment later this spring/summer. Hydrologic Balance Snowmelt was in progress in all of the reclaimed watersheds. Sediment Ponds 005 and 006 were both full and discharging a significant volume of clear flow, with no problems evident. Remaining sediment ponds(016/016A, 017, 009, and 015)were inaccessible. Backfillinq and Grading Repair of both hillslope rills and permanent channels that have eroded along some segments will be necessary when site conditions allow for access to facilitate assessment and repair. In areas that could be accessed or observed from a distance, the following erosional features were noted: Minor settling cracks and rills, and one significant gully feature was observed on recently melted north facing slopes in the lower"A" Pit reclaimed area. The gully was across from the oil well pad on the slope south of 006 Gulch. Appropriate repairs are warranted, pursuant to the approved rill and gully plan. Downcutting was observed along a segment of 006-NE2 drainage above the steep riprapped segment down to 006 Gulch, as well as a tributary to 006-NE2 that enters the channel from the east,just above the riprapped segment. Along the riprapped segment of lower 006-NE2, flow had escaped the riprap 3