_INSPECTION - C1981008 (26) - 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. Hydrologic Balance • The area received a heavy rainfall the previous Friday evening. Six-tenths of an inch was recorded at the mine site. • Pond 007 was discharging at a very slow rate. • Water in Pond 008 was at the lowest level observed this year. No discharge has occurred during 2009. • The western end of Pond 009 held water, as a result of the recent rainfall event. The water level was well below the elevation of the primary spillway. The pond outlet was in good condition. Tuttle Draw flows by a short distance from the Pond 009 discharge point. Though the flow rate was not significant at the time of the inspection, grasses lining the channel were bent to the ground, giving evidence of the recent high flow that accompanied the rainfall event. • Pond 011 was receiving inflow from dewatering of the mine at a rate of 400 gpm. The rate of outflow appeared to be approximately the same. The emergency spillway, which consists of three corrugated metal pipes with end sections at the inlet was clear of debris. It has never been used. Pond banks appeared to be stable; vegetation has become more well-established this season. • The water level in Pond 012 was higher than that observed previously. Cattails continue to be established at both ends of the pond. This pond is on Lloyd property; Ross stated that the Lloyds may not want the pond to remain as a permanent feature. • The bottom of Pond 013 is saturated and spongy, but standing water was limited to numerous isolated puddles. • Pond 014 was dry, but the bottom consisted of cracked mud. This pond is located adjacent to a portion of BB Detour Road that will be reclaimed. Fish & Wildlife • Pond 007 was occupied by a flock of Canada geese. • A pair of great blue herons was sighted at Pond 008,wading in the shallows. • A group of approximately 15 ducks flew off of Pond 012 as we approached it. Revegetation • The reclaimed north-facing slope of the Benson parcel located west of 2700 Road had very good vegetative cover, and no weeds were observed. The slope appeared to be stable with respect to erosion. • Pond 011 is supporting a thriving colony of an unidentified aquatic plant. Numerous small tamarisk plants were observed along the northern waterline of the pond. Efforts to control the establishment of tamarisk should be implemented this fall. Reclamation Success • Sideroll sprinklers were operating on the reclaimed irrigated pasture areas east of 2700 Road and on the as-yet unmined portion of the Morgan parcel. Two cuttings of hay had already occurred. Ross explained that local husbandry practices typically leave the third growth un-mowed so that it is available for forage throughout the winter. • The CCC ditch is typically turned off in late September; flow in the San Miguel River is steadily dropping. The inspection concluded at 4:30 p.m. New Horizon Mine C-1981-008 21 Sep-2009 -2-