_INSPECTION - C1981039 ‎(3)‎

• Permit No: C1981039
• IBM Index Class Name: INSPECTION
• Doc Name: Inspection Report
• Inspection Date: 6/1/2009
• Email Name: JHB
• 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.
This was a complete inspection conducted by Janet Binns and Dan Hernandez of CDRMS, and Christine Belka of the
US Office of Surface Mining. The Grassy Gap mine is a reclaimed surface mine. The mine permit and reclamation
liability bond have been revoked by DRMS. On May 28,2009,DRMS notified the Cross Mountain Ranch,
receptionist, Stacy,that the Division would be conducting an inspection of the site. The Division requested that the
ranch manager,Bernerd Peterson,be notified that we would be on the site on June 1, 2009. She reported that sheep
had not been transported to the Grassy Gap site yet. The weather was overcast and rainy. The area was damp and
there was evidence of recent rains in the area. Thunderstorms were moving through the area during the inspection, and
rain began just after the inspectors left the site.
Hydrologic Balance. Pond 4 was holding a small pool of water. The water was slightly cloudy and was not
discharging. The embankment looks stable with no evidence of erosion of the embankment. The Pond 4 embankment
was well vegetated with no sign of weed infestation. The collection ditches at Pond 4 appear to be directing runoff
towards Pond 4.
Pit 5 spoil spring flow was flowing to Pond 5. The Pit 5 pond holding slightly turbid water and was discharging. The
Pond 5 embankment appears stable and the spillway is holding up without evidence of gullying. Downcutting has
increased adjacent to the rock lined channel on the south side of Pit 5. Water from this drainage and the perennial
spring crosses the access road but then flows to Pond 5 and passes through Pond 5 prior to discharging to Grassy
Creek.
Revegetation: The vegetation was green and growing well. The area has not yet been grazed by livestock this spring
and looks healthy. Forbs and flowering shrubs were in flower at the time of the inspection. Few noxious species
were observed and were limited to occasional plants and not large patches. One small patch of White top was noted
between Pit 5 and Pit 6. Occasional Houndstongue plants and thistles were observed.
Pit 4 has a heavy establishment of sagebrush on the slope east of Pond 4. Vegetative cover on this steep slope is good
with little evidence of gullying. The reclaimed vegetation at Pits 2 and 3 are dominated by smooth Bromegrass with
only occasional sagebrush. The vegetative cover in Pits 2 and 3 remain good with only one small bare area near the
access road. Pit 1 has shorter grasses greening up,but vegetative cover remains fair with no erosional features noted.
Pit 5 has increase in sagebrush establishment, and no grazing has occurred in this pit so far this year. Cover is good.
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.
Reference Area No. 17 remains fenced and undisturbed.
Slides and damage: No new mass movement was apparent during the inspection,though two previously unstable
areas along the Pit 4 access road were seeping.
Reclamation Success.: All reclaimed Pits 1, 2/3,4, 5 and 6 had good vegetation growing. Gullying appeared confined
to roadways but the pits were still accessible via the permanent roads. The reclaimed areas continue to recover in spite
of continued heavy grazing each summer.
C1981-039 Inspection Report 6/1/2009