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III. COMMENTS -COMPLIANCE <br />Below are comments on the inspection. The comments include discussion of observations made <br />during the inspection. Comments also describe any enforcement actions taken during the inspection <br />and the facts or evidence supporting the enforcement action. <br />Backfill & Grading <br />WFC has begun to construct a stockpile of material for the purpose of backfilling Pond 012 in <br />the future. <br />The shovel was loading overburden from the pit floor into mine haul trucks to be transported <br />to and dumped from the trailing edge of the pit (Photo 2). <br />During a recent review of aerial photographs taken by the Division in May 2010, it was noted <br />that several loads of material with a pinkish tone had been truck- dumped along the leading <br />edge of Bench 1 backfill on the Morgan property. The pink hue is generally typical of Lift B <br />topsoil, whereas Bench 1 tends to be tan to grey. In order to verify that Lift B material had <br />not been mistakenly dumped rather than stockpiled, the material in question was examined <br />during this inspection. It was found to have a high rock (up to cobble -size) content, which <br />would make it unsuitable for use as topsoil. Therefore, the material was found to have been <br />handled and dumped in an appropriate manner. <br />Topsoil <br />No topsoil is currently stockpiled near Ponds 009 and 012 for use in final reclamation of these <br />features. <br />Topsoil stockpiles on the Morgan property, which were hydro- seeded earlier in the year, <br />have developed a cover of kochia and other annual weeds. A few Russian knapweed <br />plants were observed, which should be monitored and sprayed when appropriate. <br />During Dan Mathews' inspection on the 4 1 h of June, it was noted that annual weeds were <br />becoming established on "Mixed" topsoil that had been dozer- pushed from a stockpile in <br />the fall of 2009. This area had been recently disc -ed by Mike Morgan, in accordance with <br />Mr. Mathews' request. <br />Reveaetation <br />The BB Road Detour (on the Richards parcel) was reclaimed late in 2009. The reclaimed <br />roadway is effectively divided into two segments. The southern segment forms a gradual, <br />south - facing slope that begins at the reconstructed BB Road and rises to the E -W crest <br />marked by the buried CCC Ditch pipeline. The slope is contiguous to Dryland Pasture <br />reclamation completed previously on the Richards parcel (Photo 3). Revegetation during <br />this first growing season consists largely of annual weeds such as kochia and mustard. <br />Immature stands of Russian knapweed and whitetop were also observed. The remainder of <br />the reclaimed BB Road Detour lies to the north of the hill crest, and traverses the steeper <br />slopes above Tuttle Draw (Photo 4). Perhaps because this slope is north - facing, grasses are <br />getting a more vigorous start (Photo 5). The exceptions to this are the partial "bowl" that <br />remains following the regrading of Pond 014 (Photo 6), and a few zones of reclaimed <br />roadway where annual weeds, including kochia, mustard and a few sunflower plants are <br />well established or the ground is virtually barren. Although revegetation is in its early stages, <br />no evidence of soil erosion or instability was observed. It is unknown whether there have <br />been any isolated precipitation events this season. <br />New Horizon Mine C- 1981 -008 23- Jun -2010 <br />-2- <br />