2010-06-29_INSPECTION - C1980001

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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. This was a partial inspection conducted by Janet Binns of DRMS. The weather was mild and dry. The mine is a reclaimed surface mine. The mine site is dry. The office and load out areas on the east side of the ridge have received final bond release and are no longer inspected. The mine was accessed through the northern gate off of Routt County Road No. 179. Chevron's combination lock was missing from the gate. Gate could still be opened and has a bird's nest in the gate mechanism. The property was exited through the South gate. The lock remains in place and functional at the South gate. Roads: The access roads throughout the mine site are dry and remain in good condition. Hydrologic Balance: Moffat pond was holding water. Inflow could be heard flowing in the rock armored inlet channel. The Moffat pond was discharging clear effluent at the primary outlet, at a trickle. Mallard ducks were utilizing the pond during the inspection. The embankments appeared well vegetated and stable. However, numerous noxious weed patches on the embankment were identified and locations market with a Trimble GPS unit. A map of the weed patch locations is included with this report. West Ridge Pond was holding water. Only one small patch of Whitetop was identified south of the West Ridge pond. This noxious weed patch location is also identified on the attached map. Permanent drainages and contour furrows appear to be holding up well. The String-of-Pearls drainage is holding water in most of the rock check dams. No excessive scouring of the String-of-pearls drainage was observed. Fish and Wildlife: Wildlife was observed throughout the mine site. Individual mule deer and an occasional Pronghorn antelope were encountered during the inspection. One Sharptail grouse was flushed near the North road. Revegetation and Reclamation Success: Vegetation in the Moffat area looked very good and growing well. Numerous patches of noxious weeds were present in the Moffat area in spite of the operator having a weed crew on the property the first week of June. Locations of weed patches were collected by the inspector using a Trimble XT GPS unit. Weed location data is included with this report. Noxious weeds identified are on the State Noxious Weed list. (Colorado Department of Agriculture) Two of the identified noxious weeds, Whitetop (Cardaria draba), and Houndstongue (Cynoglossum officinale), are also listed by Routt County weed department as noxious species within the county. Other state listed noxious species identified on the site include Perennial pepperweed (Lepidium latifolium), Canada thistle (Cirsium arvense), and Oxeye daisy (Chrysanthemum leucanthemum). Patches of perennial pepperweed were prevalent around the Moffat pond. This species had not been noted previously to 2009. It is uncertain if this species is increasing in the reclaimed areas or if had not been identified earlier. The operator needs to take corrective action to reduce the potential spread of this species. A few small patches of Oxeye daisy were observed in the lower drainages east of the Moffat pond. Immediate control of this species is advised to control the spread of this highly invasive species. The operator needs to assure that the approved weed control plan is followed, and use the opportunity to control these noxious species during the most effective time of the growing season. 3 of 5 WHITE - File YELLOW - Operator PINK - Specialist