_INSPECTION - C1980007 (50) - Laserfiche WebLink

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July 19,2011 C-1980-007/West Elk Mine TAK control(and for preventing motor vehicle access)by placing the downed trees across reclaimed roads. Backfilling and grading on most of the disturbed sites has created gentle slopes having slope lengths less than approximately 300 feet long, indicating surface flow is likely to drain across the disturbed area chiefly as sheet-flow,rather than more erosive concentrated-flow. No berms or other obstructions have been left on the downslope edges of disturbed areas that would impede flow off of the disturbed lands. Reclaimed areas appeared to have sufficient live vegetation cover, litter,and rock for sediment yield to be no more than adjacent undisturbed areas. ROADS—Rule 4.03 ❑Construction 4.03.1(3)/4.03.2(3) ❑Drainage 4.03.1(4)/4.03.2(4) ❑Surfacing and Maintenance4.03.1(5)and(6)/4.03.2(5)and(6) ❑Reclamation 4.03.1(7)/4.03.2(7): Sylvester Gulch Road and its extension were in good repair. RECLAMATION SUCCESS -Rule 4.15,Rule 3: Backfilling, grading, and vegetation establishment have resulted in a stable land surface in the bond release area. These lands are progressing toward achieving the approved postmining land uses of rangeland and wildlife habitat. All disturbed areas in the bond release area have been regraded to approximate original contour and positive drainage appears to exist on these lands. During the inspection,U.S. Forest Service representatives voiced no concerns regarding completion of backfilling, grading,and drainage establishment in the bond release area. Observations made during this inspection support a finding to approve Phase I bond release for the bond release area. REVEGETATION—Rule 4.15❑❑Vegetative Cover;Timing: Vegetation was well-developed on all of the reclaimed MDW pads and access roads. Vegetative cover was good on south-facing slopes and was most dense on north-facing slopes. Grasses included wheatgrass, ricegrass, and rye grass. Forbs included Rocky Mountain penstemon, asters,yellow sweetclover,and cicer milkvetch. Sagebrush and Gambel's oak were the dominant shrubs. There is significant encroachment of volunteer sagebrush into the edges of many of the older MDW pads. Thistle contol is needed in the area of reclaimed MDW pad 15-01 and at a few scattered locations along the reclaimed Long Draw Road. The mine operator has a weed spraying effort in progress and the operator's representative has reported since the inspection that spraying will been done in those areas in the next few days. The few thistle plants and hound's tongue found on reclaimed areas on the West Flatiron area and on the Deep Creek Bench Road appeared to be wilted from spraying. The operator's representative explained that,as requested by the Forest Service,the native thistle that were found at several locations is not sprayed. SUBSIDENCE—Rule 4.20: No evidence of subsidence was found in the bond release area,with the exception of rock spalling on the Number of Partial Inspection this Fiscal Year,ending 6/30/12: 1 Number of Complete Inspections this Fiscal Year: 0 Page 5 of 11