Laserfiche WebLink
Apri130, 2012 C- 1981- 008/New Horizon Mine MLT <br />following the San Miguel River a few miles upstream. <br />The diversion structure lies on private property, prohibiting access to that feature, but I was able <br />to view the structure that confines the diverted flow to a ditch of a fixed size (Photo 1), and <br />allows any excess water to spill back to the San Miguel River (Photo 2). The ditch appears to be <br />confined to an open channel, hugging the hillside, until it reaches Cottonwood Creek. At this <br />point, the ditch enters a siphon which carries the flow down the hill, beneath 90 Road, over the <br />creek (Photo 3), and back uphill to regain the elevation of the ditch. <br />For much of the remaining distance to the Nucla area, the ditch's course can be clearly seen from <br />90 Road, hugging the north side of the San Miguel River valley (Photo 4). In addition to <br />Cottonwood, the ditch also makes crossings of Little Bucktail and Big Bucktail Creeks. <br />AIR RESOURCE PROTECTION — Rule 4.17: <br />• The water truck was in operation during the inspection on May 1st. <br />Mr. Gubka explained that water is presently accumulating in the pit at a slower rate, with the <br />result that it takes longer to fill the elevated water storage tank located at Pond 011. Water <br />from this tank is used to fill the truck for dust control. WFC is investigating the possibility of <br />using ditch rights for dust control, if necessary. <br />AVAILABILITY OF RECORDS — Rule 5.02.4(1): <br />• Permit records were available for review at the mine office. A completed DRMS <br />Availability of Records form is attached to this report. <br />BACKFILL and GRADING — Rule 4.14 <br />Contemporaneous Reclamation 4.14.1; Approximate Original Contour 4.14.2; Highwall <br />Elimination 4.14.1(2)(f); Steep Slopes 4.14.2, 4.27; Handling of Acid and Toxic Materials <br />4.14.3; Stabilization of Rills and Gullies 4.14.6: <br />Following the March 15, 2012 inspection, the Division requested that WFC provide <br />information regarding the elevations of replaced spoil, surface spoil, and /or topsoil placed to- <br />date on the Morgan and WFC parcels. The purpose of this data will be to evaluate the mine's <br />compliance with the approved Post - Mining Topography. As of the writing of this report, the <br />elevation data has not been received. During the inspection, Mr. Gubka said that they are <br />working to collect the data for presentation to the Division. <br />• At the northern end of the former Lloyd property, the north- facing slope lying southwest of <br />Pond 012 had been graded. The surface was in a roughened condition, and the operator had <br />begun the process of spreading topsoil across the graded surface (Photos 5 and 6). <br />FISH and WILDLIFE — Rule 4.18: <br />Very few birds were observed at Ponds 007 and 013. <br />A red fox was sighted, crossing the Pond 013 topsoil stockpile and moving toward Tuttle <br />Draw. <br />HYDROLOGIC BALANCE - Rule 4.05 <br />Drainage Control 4.05.1, 4.05.2, 4.05.3; Siltation Structures 4.05.5, 4.05.6; Discharge Structures <br />4.05.7, 4.05.10; Diversions 4.05.4; Effluent Limits 4.05.2; Ground Water Monitoring 4.05.13; <br />Number of Partial Inspection this Fiscal Year: 8 <br />Number of Complete Inspections this Fiscal Year: 4 Page 3 of 11 <br />