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benches to an angle of 35°, which is consistent with the 2003 L&A geotechnical <br />evaluation (L&A, 2003). The failure surfaces (i.e. the surfaces along which <br />movement has occurred) remain at a "residual strength" and therefore are less <br />resistant to additional loading. Although the slope configuration is currently stable, <br />the failure mechanism could potentially be reactivated upon removal of subsequent <br />benches, resulting in movement of additional material. <br />9) The highwall adjacent to the lower asphalt plant facilities and the area above the <br />highwall were visually inspected as part of the field reconnaissance inspections <br />performed during our site visits. As discussed in Section 2.0, the bedrock in the <br />highwall of the asphalt plant is sedimentary, consisting of shales and sandstones <br />upturned to near vertical orientations, striking almost north-south. The highwall <br />located immediately west and north of the plant facility is currently stable, with no <br />evidence of highwall instabilities. No major cracks, settlement, or water ponding <br />areas were observed at the ground surface above the highwall, and it appears that <br />the highwall is stable under the current conditions. <br />In addition to the inspection of the highwall, observations along the access road to <br />the upper asphalt plant facilities were also made with no surface cracks or settlement <br />' noted. Therroad is aligned perpendicular to the strike of the nearly vertical bedded <br />sedimentary rock, which is a favorable orientation for slope stability along the access <br />road. <br />-10- <br />tache! & Associates <br />SCN Nn Pf-1 Fn;G IIiE ERI"1G :Gr: C,1NY