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March 28, 2011 C- 1981- 041/Roadside Portals MPB <br />noted at any of the sediment pond locations. As requested during the last completed inspection, SCC has repaired <br />the silt fence at the 2 -West portals (see attached Photo No. 2). Drainage and diversion ditches were stable with no <br />significant erosion or other problems noted. <br />ROADS — Rule 4.03 <br />Construction 4.03.1(3)/4.03.2(3) <br />Drainage 4.03.1(4)/4.03.2(4) <br />Surfacing and Maintenance4.03.1(5) and (6)/4.03.2(5) and (6) <br />Reclamation 4.03.1(7)/4.03.2(7): <br />Roads were mostly dry and well maintained in the locations west of the interstate including the North Portal, Unit <br />Train Loadout (UTL), and refuse disposal areas. Roads were also in good condition at the North Decline and <br />South Portal areas. Road ditches were in good condition and road culverts were all generally well maintained <br />throughout the various mine site locations and support facility areas. Roads into the 2 -West Portal and South Fan <br />site locations were muddy but we were able to access these locations. <br />REVEGETATION — Rule 4.15 <br />Vegetative Cover; Timing: <br />Most of the large reclaimed areas at the Roadside Portals Mine exhibit an abundance of cheatgrass. This has <br />become a widespread problem at several locations including the RSRDA by the South Portals (Photo No. 3), The <br />CRDA -1 and 2 refuse piles, and at the North Decline reclaimed area (Photo No. 4). The problem is not limited to <br />the reclamation in fact many of the surrounding areas along I -70 have the same problem and the vegetation <br />reference areas also exhibit an abundance of cheatgrass. Herbicide treatment and interseeding were done in 2005- <br />07 in an attempt to reduce the dominance of cheatgrass. Despite repeated attempts, it appears at this time there is <br />not sufficient technology to control the persistent invasion of cheatgrass. SCC has submitted Technical Revision <br />No. 60. With TR -60 SCC is proposing to change the cover, production, diversity standards and sampling methods <br />for the purposes of bond release in Tab 14 of the approved permit document. TR -60 is currently under review by <br />the division. As part of this complete inspection, the vegetation reference areas were viewed. The shadscale <br />reference area located above the access road to the South portals is shown in Photograph No. 5 and the <br />greasewood reference area is shown in Photo No. 6. <br />SUPPORT FACILITIES - Rule 4.04: <br />The entire South Portal reclaimed area remains stable and in good condition. The Kokopelli fruit stand is not open <br />for business yet. The South Portal area was well maintained and no problems were noted during this inspection. <br />The reclamation throughout the South Portal area remains in very good condition. <br />At the UTL loop area, Halliburton's Cameo Sand Storage Facility is fully operational. The Division issued its <br />proposed decision and findings to fully approve the Phase I /IFIII bond release at the UTL loop area on 3/21/1 land <br />the final decision is pending OSM concurrence. <br />Number of Partial Inspection this Fiscal Year: 6 <br />Number of Complete Inspections this Fiscal Year: 3 <br />Page 3 of 9 <br />