Laserfiche WebLink
lower portion of Ditch 7 where it flows from the reclaimed area into an existing natural channel. This <br />erosion was documented in previous inspection reports and was in the process of being repaired. A <br />follow -up inspection on October 29, 2013 documented that Ditch 7 was repaired. The steepest slope, <br />4C /2B was heavily pock- marked with a backhoe bucket during reclamation which created many small <br />depressions that served to reduce runoff. All the reclamation zones blended in well with the adjacent <br />terrain. <br />Most of the reclamation zones were well vegetated with grasses, shrubs and some trees. Some rocks <br />were scattered throughout the reclamation zones for flora diversity and wildlife habitat. Zone 2A had the <br />least amount of slope and vegetation and a prevalence of cheatgrass. The vegetation in Zone 4C /2B was <br />not well established as it was reworked last fall by roughening the surface and hydroseeding. <br />The West Ridge waste pile is located in Zone 5 and 5A. The waste pile was stable and showed no signs <br />of rilling or gullying. The vegetation on the waste pile is good, although there is some whitetop near the <br />top north end of the pile. The whitetop was treated and monitoring will continue through final bond <br />release. <br />The Timber Storage Area (R.O.M.) blends in well with the surrounding topography, is well vegetated <br />and stable. The road and culvert that provided access across Stevens Creek was removed in December <br />2008. The creek channel is lined with rocks and silt fence was installed between the channel and the <br />disturbed areas above. The reconstruction of the channel has been effective with no signs of erosion. <br />B) Drainage Establishment <br />The upper diversion ditch in sections 3A -C was reclaimed to AOC (see Figure 1 in SL -4 for all <br />references to sections). Drainage ditches were established along the access road in the upper sections of <br />the mine area which direct runoff to ponds 1 -4. The West Ridge Waste Pile drains into the gob pile <br />pond which discharges to pond 3. <br />Ditch 1 along the upper main access road at the East Mine was constructed and lined with riprap. Ditch <br />1 drains into a natural channel that leads to Pond 1. Road ditches 2 — 6 were constructed and lined with <br />riprap and all drain to Ditch 7. Ditch 7, also riprapped, drains across the former screening level, to a <br />natural drainage then to Pond 2. The Zone 2 and Zone 4a Ditches were constructed and connect to the <br />Gob Pile Pond which drains to a natural drainage then to Pond 3. A series of waterbars were constructed <br />across the main access road from below where the Zone 2 Ditch crosses the access road to the main <br />entrance gate. These waterbars direct the runoff from the road surface to the undisturbed vegetation <br />along the access road. <br />All drainage from the reclaimed areas continues to flow through the approved sediment ponds. The <br />culvert at the southern end of zone 2 -C is still in place. It is not a permanent feature and is planned to be <br />removed prior to Phase 11 bond release. Ponds 1 -4, the gob pile pond and the ROM pond are still in <br />place and will remain through Phase 11 bond release. Ponds 1 and 2 are still in place at the West Mine <br />and will remain through Phase 11 bond release. The two ponds at the unit train loadout are still in place <br />and will remain until Phase 11 bond release of the loadout area. <br />0 <br />