_INSPECTION - C1994082 ‎(41)‎

• Permit No: C1994082
• IBM Index Class Name: INSPECTION
• Doc Name: Inspection Report
• Inspection Date: 7/15/2009
• Email Name: DTM
• 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.
Shrub establishment area success was not closely evaluated,but there has been very good initial
establislnnent of aspen and shrubs in some locations. The weedguard fabric study that is in
progress at Yoast and Seneca II-W has shown dramatic initial results with respect to aspen
survival and growth; visual results are less pronounced for serviceberry. Good establishment of
big sagebrush from seed was noted in various locations during the course of the inspection.
Noxious weeds continue to be present, primarily Canada thistle and houndstongue. Large
patches of thistle were observed on the south facing slopes in the lower YPM-4 watershed, and
the vicinity of Pond 012A. Smaller patches are present throughout the reclaimed areas,
particularly common along areas that have been re-disturbed for slide or gully repair in the past,
and on pond embankments and adjacent areas. A dense patch was noted in the vicinity of the
aspen sprout patch in the upper YPM 1-1 watershed. These infestation areas will be subject to
continued herbicide control effort in accordance with the approved weed control plan of
the permit.
Slides and Damage
The "Pond 013 Slide", which was included in the SL-2 release request, is addressed in the
Backfilling and Grading section of this report. This slide occurred on a steep slope on a high
point in the Pond 013 watershed. It began as a tension crack across the slope, following the
location of a former highwall. Additional movement occurred this spring, and remedial measures
were implemented in July, when soils had dried sufficiently. The slide affected area was graded
to a slightly reduced slope, topsoiled and seeded. Grading efforts were underway during the SL-
2 inspection, and the project was completed prior to the Division's August inspection. Remedial
grading appears to have been successful, but the site will be monitored for indications of
instability and the need for maintenance in the future.
The"Pond-12 Slide" located on the slope immediately northeast of Sedimentation Pond 012 is a
much larger and more complex slope failure. SCC has employed a geotechnical consulting firm
to development remedial plan alternatives, and geotechnical investigations including piezometric
monitoring and trenching are in progress. The Division recently approved a technical revision
incorporating surface drainage small area exemptions, which will allow the operator to direct
surface runoff along the ridgetop to the north, away from the slide zone. The technical revision
plan is to be implemented this fall. A remedial plan technical revision for the Pond 12 slide itself
is to be submitted in the 2nd quarter, 2010 (the deadline was recently extended to allow for more
comprehensive investigation of slide area hydrology). The Pond 012 Slide and adjacent area was
not included in the SL-2 release request.
17