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PERMIT #: M- 1977 -346 <br />INSPECTOR'S INITIALS: ECS <br />INSPECTION DATE: April 11, 2014 <br />OBSERVATIONS <br />This was a routine monitoring inspection for a I I 2 gypsum quarry permit conducted by Eric Scott of DRMS <br />for the Boettcher Gypsum Quarry site. DRMS toured the site with site operator representatives Michael Toelle <br />and Gordon Benton at approximately 1030. <br />The required site entrance posting was present. Mining at this site ceased many years ago, and the site has been <br />in temporary cessation since May of 1996. The majority of the site is currently being utilized as rangeland by <br />the property owner. It should be noted that the rule states that 10 years is the maximum time allowed for <br />temporary cessations (two — five year intervals) and that reclamation should be completed within five years <br />after mining ceases. Mr. Toelle stated that this site was scheduled for final reclamation in July of 2014. If all <br />earthwork and seeding required for the final reclamation of this site are not completed by September 30, 2014. <br />DRMS may initiate enforcement action for failure to reclaim the site. <br />The approved reclamation plan for the site states that the site will be returned to rangeland, that the contours of <br />the site will be blended with the surrounding terrain, and any walls left will be broken down to a slope not to <br />exceed 3:1. Topsoil will be re- spread (no topsoil stockpiles were noted during the site inspection - material will <br />likely need to be imported for growth media) and the disturbed areas will be reseeded with a mix of little <br />bluestem (5lbs /ac pls), side -oats gramma (6lbs /ac pls), indian ricegrass (8lbs /ac pls), and true mountain <br />mahogany (0.5lbs /ac pls). Mulching at a .rate of 40001bs /ac of crimped straw was also recommended in the <br />original approved reclamation plan. <br />If changes to the approved reclamation plan need to be made by the operator to more accurately address the <br />current conditions, update the reclamation plan, and facilitate the release of the site, a Technical Revision <br />should be submitted to the Division for review and approval. <br />At a minimum, portions of the site will need to be re- graded to eliminate the steep walls in the disturbed area, <br />and a suitable growth medium will need to be placed over the disturbed areas to support successful revegetation. <br />A weed control plan will likely need to be implemented to keep noxious weeds from becoming established <br />during the early phases of revegetation. <br />Page 2 of 4 <br />