_INSPECTION - C1980001 ‎(27)‎

• Permit No: C1980001
• IBM Index Class Name: INSPECTION
• Doc Name: OSM Inspection Report
• From: OSM
• To: DRMS
• Inspection Date: 7/20/2009
• Email Name: JDM
• Media Type: D
• Archive: No

Mr. Musick, Mr. Summers and I split from the group, drove to the West Ridge area and walked
the upper portion. We discussed the site's history,noting that mining was conducted in this area
before our mining laws were passed ("pre-law"). Because of this,topsoil was not segregated and
stockpiled for redistribution during reclamation for all areas. However, many areas have been
redisturbed under a permanent program permit. Chevron mining has reclaimed certain areas
without topsoil. The revegetation standard for non-topsoiled land is lower than the standard for
topsoiled lands (non-topsoiled: 47% cover, reference areas used for topsoiled areas). We
continued to the Center Ridge Pond. Walking around the pond, vegetation is extremely thick and
difficult to walk through in places. We drove back to reconnect with the group.
Mr. Maneotis (landowner) expressed his concerns regarding his ability to graze sheep in the
reclaimed areas and the discrepancy between what he was told by the consultant conducting the
vegetation sampling (that the parcel would not meet the success standard) and the fact that it did
pass. Mr. Musick reinforced the fact that this discrepancy was unfortunate. He explained again
how areas mined before our laws were passed did not have topsoil salvaged, so none was
available to use during reclamation. These areas have different standards (topsoiled/non-
topsoiled). Vegetation data is collected and averaged together: non-topsoiled areas are averaged
together and topsoiled areas are averaged together. These may be from separate plots (Moffat,
West Ridge). We then discussed the variability in vegetation. Walking through an area the
vegetation may be very dense, become sparse, then dense again. This is a natural occurrence
found in undisturbed areas as well. Because vegetation data is collected randomly, results will
reflect this variation. All areas met or exceeded applicable bond release standards.
We drove back up to a high point on the south side of the West Ridge plot. Splitting into two
groups, we walked the string of pearls and adjacent area to the west. The areas are stable.
Houndstongue is dispersed throughout and some thistle was also noted. Mr. Maneotis
(landowner) inquired about the use of alfalfa in the seed mix, stating that it gave his sheep bloat.
Alfalfa is in Edna's approved seed mixture (Appendix 4.4-A-20, approved 7/11/1995).
We drove back up to roughly the center of the West Ridge bond release unit. Mr. and Mrs.
Maneotis (landowners) departed from there. Ms. Binns, Mr. Musick, Mr. Summers, and I
continued to walk the west side of West Ridge. The area is stable and well vegetated.
Houndstongue is pervasive throughout this site but is not growing in clumps that could easily be
sprayed. Ms. Binns and Mr. Musick indicated that they would like to discuss the problem before
deciding how to move forward with requiring weed control.
On our way out from the West Ridge plot, we stopped to evaluate a drainage ditch that Mr.
Maneotis informed us was eroding (see Figure 8). Mr. Maneotis also stated that there is a
problem with the chain of pearls drainage check dams. We walked the south road drainage ditch.
It is down-cutting a bit and could require maintenance. Mr. Musick will check the designs and
consider the need for maintenance before bond is released on this area. The chain of pearls
drainage check dams are functioning as designed. These are designed to impound water for
years, but fill in with sediment over time (see Figure 9). For this reason, DRMS will not require
Chevron to clean sediment from the filled-in upper cells.
Overall, reclamation has been successful at the Edna mine. All areas inspected have been