2015-01-06_INSPECTION - M1985109

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PERMIT#:M-1985-109 INSPECTOR'S INITIALS:AME INSPECTION DATE: October 2,2014 OBSERVATIONS This was a normal monitoring inspection of the Arthur L. Schmeiser pit(Permit No. M-1985-109) conducted by Amy Eschberger of the Division of Reclamation, Mining and Safety(Division). Mr. John DeWitt and Mr. Monty Mattson represented the Operator, Lincoln County for the inspection. This site is located approximately 9.5 miles east of Rush, CO and 14 miles west of Punkin Center, CO in Lincoln County. The land is owned by DiSanti High Plains Land&Cattle, LLC. The site is accessed by driving north through a private residence off of Co Rd 2a and following a ranch road along the property fenceline for approximately 0.8 mile. The ranch road is grown over with vegetation and appears to have not been used for mining access for some time. The site is situated on a hillside adjacent to Little Horse Creek. This is an intermittent operation. The post-mining land use is pastureland. This is a 110c operation permitted for 3.2 acres to mine sand and gravel for county road maintenance. Mining began in the southern portion of the permit area and continued in a northward direction. At the time of the inspection, it was clear, sunny, and cool, and the ground was dry. No mining activities were taking place during the inspection, and no equipment was present on site. A permit sign was posted at the gated entrance to the site off of the ranch road(Photo 1). The four corners of the permit boundary were marked with metal posts (Photo 2). Currently, approximately three acres have been disturbed by the operation, including an open pit with a mainly south-facing highwall (Photos 3-7) and areas in the southern portion of the site where stockpiles were once stored. All stockpiles have been removed from the site or used for reclamation. The highwall is approximately 425-450 feet in length,with an average height of 10-12 feet, and slope gradients of approximately 3H:1 V to 4H:1 V(Photos 8 and 9; also see Photos 3-7). It should be noted that the top of the highwall is within several feet of the northern permit boundary. According to Annual Reports submitted by the Operator, mining has been completed at this site for more than five years, and the last of the material stockpiles were removed in 2010. In the inspection report for February 18, 2010,the Division cited a Problem for failure to complete final reclamation prior to the expiration of five years after the date the Operator advises the Board in an Annual Report that mining has been completed, as required by C.R.S. 34-32.5-116(4)(q)(I). This Problem was considered abated in August 2011 because,by that time, the Operator had completed all reclamation earthwork, replaced 4-6 inches of topsoil, and disced, seeded, and mulched disturbed areas. Since late 2011, the Operator has worked to establish the approved grass mixture at this site. However, this task has proved difficult due to drought conditions in the region. During the recent inspection, grasses appeared to be establishing across the affected area(see Photos 4, and 7-9). There are some bare patches in vegetative cover, particularly along the top of the highwall(see Photos 5 and 6). However, this appears to be the best progress achieved in grass establishment at this site since it was last seeded. The Division recommends the Operator interseed the affected area with the approved seed mixture and remulch if necessary(especially on more exposed areas such as the top of the highwall). The approved revegetation plan recommended by the Soil Conservation Service is enclosed with this report for reference. The Operator should be aware that if final reclamation of the site has not been achieved by the next inspection, a Possible Violation may be cited for failure to complete final reclamation of the site within five years of completing mining activities (as described above). Page 2 of 7