_INSPECTION - C1994082 (40) - Laserfiche WebLink

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September 20,2010 C-1994-082/Yoast Mine DTM ❑Reclamation 4.03.1(7)/4.03.2(7): -The mine entrance road surface and drainage structures appeared to be in good condition. Success of vegetation establishment along the sides of the road that were reseeded in association with the downsizing to postmine access road is variable. Along some segments good stands of perennial grasses have been established,but along other segments annual weedy species are heavily dominant,with patch occurrence of perennials. The operator has indicated that drill seeding will be conducted this fall along roadside segments where perennial establishment is lacking. -Near the upper end of the road, in the former shop area, a small area adjacent to the west side of the road has been cleared of topsoil and a temporary gravel stockpile is present. The gravel is being used in the Pond 012 remedial project for trench drain construction. The stockpile will be removed and the site re-topsoiled and seeded next year following trench drain completion. •LU-3A road surfaces and drainage structures were generally well maintained, and fairly diverse vegetated stands are present along the roadsides. Canada thistle patches present but most exhibited symptoms of recent spraying. Additional rock had been added to the steep upper roadside ditch segments, and gullies that had developed on certain steep fill areas had been stabilized. •LU-2,which extends a short distance from LU-3A up to the fenced shrub patch in the lower YPM-10 drainage has rilled. Grading and installation of additional water bars is warranted. RECLAMATION SUCCESS -Rule 4.15,Rule 3: Reclamation is progressing in accordance with approved schedule for contemporaneous reclamation. Erosional and mass stability has been a problem given the steep slopes and geologic conditions at Yoast. Phase 1 bond releases have been approved for major portions of the disturbance within the reclaimed mine pit areas. In general, stability is increasing as seeded vegetation matures and settling features that occurred initially following spoil grading heal over. Permanent channel and rill and gully maintenance activities continue on an annual basis,but the extent of maintenance work necessary should continue to decline as the reclaimed watersheds stabilize. One significant area of mass instability,"the Pond 12 Slide"is currently being remediated(the slide locations and adjacent areas have not yet been approved for phase 1 bond release). Noxious weeds and weedy annual bromes present a challenge to successful revegetation in a number of locations; weed control operations are on- going and may need to be more aggressively pursued in the future to achieve Phase II and III bond release in a timely fashion in all areas. REVEGETATION—Rule 4.15 ❑Vegetative Cover; Timing: A diverse cover of sagebrush grass type communities has been established across significant areas of reclamation at Yoast, and steep slope areas are stabilizing as the vegetative cover matures. In general,reclaimed areas with 3 or more years of growth exhibit these characteristics,with sagebrush component ranging from sparse to quite dense. There are alfalfa dominated stands in some areas,but the alfalfa stands generally support a significant grass understory,and the alfalfa component is expected to decrease with time. Application of broadleaf herbicide in patches or strips within the most extensive alfalfa.stands(upper Pond 14 watershed), followed by interseeding Number of Partial Inspection this Fiscal Year: 2 Number of Complete Inspections this Fiscal Year: 1 Page 5 of 13