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Seneca iI Mine Phase I bond release, pg. 2 <br />Throughout the inspection we made observations of AOC restoration as well as surface water <br />runoff control and surface erosional stability as we walked all of the "V-ditches" in East Wadge <br />Pit Area. and PM channels. AOC restoration observed throughout the reclaimed areas closely <br />resembles the pre mining landscape, and blends extremely well into surrounding undisturbed <br />areas. The essential hydrologic functions recreated by the "V-ditches" pm channels resembles <br />the pre mining landscape, helps provide stability for surface water runoff and reclaimed slopes, <br />and facilitates the post mining land use of rangeland. We took slope measurements in several <br />areas along the five "V-ditches," the pm channels and reclaimed slopes, and checked for stability <br />of pond embankments. Several digital photographs were also taken during the inspection and <br />attachments to Mr. Mathew's inspection report will include those observations. <br />We began the field inspection on July 14"' by walking the East Wadge Pit reclamation area and <br />the PM-•8 channel while malting the observations noted above. Subsequent stops and <br />observations during the inspection are as follows: <br />Five (5) shallow grade cross-slope "V-ditches" were constructed in the East Wadge Pit <br />reclamation area to mitigate erosion concerns identified during the October 2006 phase I bond <br />release :inspection. We walked the ditches, which feed into the PM-8 channel, to ensure that they <br />were stable. Some scouring has occurred in the "V-1 ditch" and Mr. Mathews recommended <br />that the permittee monitor the situation and install a series of rock checks in the ditch if <br />vegetation does not establish to prevent further scouring and promote healing. We measured a <br />representative slope in the ditch at 6%. Some Canadian thistle was also identified in the ditch. <br />The upper part of the watershed was in great shape and the problems noted above occurred <br />further down. The "V-2 ditch" was not as scoured and did not require mitigation. However, the <br />weeds (Canadian thistle and hounds tongue) along the ditch were quite prevalent and Mr. <br />Mathews recommended that the permittee take appropriate action to reduce them prior to <br />applying for Phase II bond release. We measured a representative slope in the ditch at 5%. We <br />also measured a representative slope of 27% at the junction of the "V-2 ditch" and the PM-8 <br />channel., which consists of a steep riprap area, has patchy vegetation and appears to be holding its <br />own. "Gouges" have been created between the "V-2 and 3 ditches" and has been effective in <br />preventing erosion. We walked the length of the "V-3 ditch" which was heavily lined with <br />yellow clover. We measured a representative slope in the ditch at 4%. A slope of 16% was <br />measured near the junction of the "V-3 ditch" and the PM-8 channel which was stable with <br />heavy sweet clover. Some scouring has occurred in the lower 30-feet of the "V-3 ditch" at the <br />junction of the PM-8 channel where we measured a slope at 9%. As a result, Mr. Mathews <br />recommended that the permittee install riprap or TRM to prevent further erosion. The slope <br />between the "V-3 and 4 ditches" was well vegetated. We measured a representative slope in the <br />"V-4 ditch" at 3% and there was no erosion to speak of. The "V-4 ditch" was stable, heavily <br />lined with yellow clover on its banks. We then measured a representative slope of the "V-5 <br />ditch" at 5% and noticed some minor scour and patchy vegetation along the channel. We also <br />measured the slope of a heavily rip rapped but stable steep segment at the junction of the "V-5 <br />ditch" and the PM-8 channel at 21 %. <br />We walked the length of the PM-8 channel simultaneously with the five (5) cross-slope "V- <br />ditches" in the East Wadge Pit reclamation area. We measured a representative slope in the PM-