_INSPECTION - C1982057 (33) - Laserfiche WebLink

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a 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. Along most of the ridgeline area, mining disturbance was entirely on the western side of the ridgeline; however small areas along the reclaimed ridgeline slope to the east, and drain into the Sage Creek watershed. There are a couple short, steep gully repair channels that drain to the east in the vicinity of the Ridgeline Access/LU-1 intersection. These channels had been lined with TRM and appear to be stable. Runoff from the reclaimed slopes in this portion of the permit area drains into Sediment Pond 009. Farther south along the ridgeline, there are small areas near the southern boundary of the original permit area that drain to the east into Sediment Pond 015, which is located on a separate Sage Creek tributary. There are two short, steep reclaimed channel segments in this area(PM-5A and PM-5B), which are located within a large fenced woody plant establishment area. The channel profile shape is consistent with approved design, although maximum gradient (based on As-Built drawings in SL-2) is 5 to 7% steeper than design. However, the channels are conservatively constructed and are lined with large riprap, rather than vegetated channels as allowed for in the approved design. The riprapped channels appeared to be stable, and are properly tied into the native drainage channel at the lower perimeter of the disturbed area. Scattered rills were observed within the fenced planting area adjacent to the channels, but the rills appear to be healing. Survival of a wide variety seeded and planted woody species is generally quite good within the fenced area. A short distance farther south, immediately adjacent to the southern boundary of the original permit area, there is a second smaller fenced woody planting area located along the top of the reclaimed ridgeline. There is a small depression within the fenced planting area, which apparently formed from minor settling following initial regrading. The depression holds a shallow pool of water from snowmelt and rainfall during portions of the year, and a diverse vegetation community is becoming established, with wetland species such as cattail and willow in the center, wetter areas, with upland species including planted aspen and tall shrubs in more mesic sites, and seeded big sagebrush on steeper slopes and exposed ridgeline areas both inside and outside the fenced zone. Given the benefits of the shallow depression with respect to vegetation community diversity and wildlife habitat, the Division approves retention of the feature within SL-2. Permanent Facilities Certain facilities have been proposed within the approved permit for retention as permanent structures, and are included within the original permit area lands that would be subject to the SL- 2 approval, including a number of access and light use roads, electric substation and powerline, and various fences associated with grazing management,property boundaries, and shrub plots. Stock ponds and sedimentation ponds have also been proposed as permanent structures,but have not yet been approved as such, and none of the stock ponds or sedimentation ponds were included in the SL-2 release request. 18