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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 <br /> inspection and the facts or evidence supporting the enforcement action. <br /> This was a complete inspection conducted by Janet Binns and Dan Hernandez of CDRMS, and Christine Belka of the <br /> US Office of Surface Mining. The Grassy Gap mine is a reclaimed surface mine. The mine permit and reclamation <br /> liability bond have been revoked by DRMS. On May 28,2009,DRMS notified the Cross Mountain Ranch, <br /> receptionist, Stacy,that the Division would be conducting an inspection of the site. The Division requested that the <br /> ranch manager,Bernerd Peterson,be notified that we would be on the site on June 1, 2009. She reported that sheep <br /> had not been transported to the Grassy Gap site yet. The weather was overcast and rainy. The area was damp and <br /> there was evidence of recent rains in the area. Thunderstorms were moving through the area during the inspection, and <br /> rain began just after the inspectors left the site. <br /> Hydrologic Balance. Pond 4 was holding a small pool of water. The water was slightly cloudy and was not <br /> discharging. The embankment looks stable with no evidence of erosion of the embankment. The Pond 4 embankment <br /> was well vegetated with no sign of weed infestation. The collection ditches at Pond 4 appear to be directing runoff <br /> towards Pond 4. <br /> Pit 5 spoil spring flow was flowing to Pond 5. The Pit 5 pond holding slightly turbid water and was discharging. The <br /> Pond 5 embankment appears stable and the spillway is holding up without evidence of gullying. Downcutting has <br /> increased adjacent to the rock lined channel on the south side of Pit 5. Water from this drainage and the perennial <br /> spring crosses the access road but then flows to Pond 5 and passes through Pond 5 prior to discharging to Grassy <br /> Creek. <br /> Revegetation: The vegetation was green and growing well. The area has not yet been grazed by livestock this spring <br /> and looks healthy. Forbs and flowering shrubs were in flower at the time of the inspection. Few noxious species <br /> were observed and were limited to occasional plants and not large patches. One small patch of White top was noted <br /> between Pit 5 and Pit 6. Occasional Houndstongue plants and thistles were observed. <br /> Pit 4 has a heavy establishment of sagebrush on the slope east of Pond 4. Vegetative cover on this steep slope is good <br /> with little evidence of gullying. The reclaimed vegetation at Pits 2 and 3 are dominated by smooth Bromegrass with <br /> only occasional sagebrush. The vegetative cover in Pits 2 and 3 remain good with only one small bare area near the <br /> access road. Pit 1 has shorter grasses greening up,but vegetative cover remains fair with no erosional features noted. <br /> Pit 5 has increase in sagebrush establishment, and no grazing has occurred in this pit so far this year. Cover is good. <br /> Pit 6 has a small puddle of water in the flat area towards the north end of the pit. Vegetation overall in Pit 6 is good. <br /> Reference Area No. 17 remains fenced and undisturbed. <br /> Slides and damage: No new mass movement was apparent during the inspection,though two previously unstable <br /> areas along the Pit 4 access road were seeping. <br /> Reclamation Success.: All reclaimed Pits 1, 2/3,4, 5 and 6 had good vegetation growing. Gullying appeared confined <br /> to roadways but the pits were still accessible via the permanent roads. The reclaimed areas continue to recover in spite <br /> of continued heavy grazing each summer. <br /> C1981-039 Inspection Report 6/1/2009 <br />