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PERMIT #: M -1986 -079 <br />INSPECTOR'S INITIALS: TOD <br />INSPECTION DATE: April 14, 2015 <br />the State in the amount of $273,800.00. This deficit in bond amount is cited as a problem and must be corrected <br />by June 29, 2015, by submitting the additional bond amount of $273,800.00. If the Operator can dedicate water <br />rights or obtain permanent augmentation the required financial warranty could be reduced. <br />Fish and Wildlife: <br />Large fish were observed in the pond. The Operator should consider contacting the Colorado Parks and <br />Wildlife prior to backfilling the entire pond and discuss relocating all of the fish. <br />Hydrologic Balance: <br />During the inspection, DRMS used a hand held GPS unit to estimate the area of the exposed groundwater pond. <br />The field collected GPS data was overlaid with a georeferenced map of the permit boundary and an aerial photo <br />of the exposed groundwater pond (please see Figure 1). DRMS concluded that the exposed groundwater pond <br />is approximately 22 acres in size. The Operator's representative stated that portions of the pond were deeper <br />than 15 feet. The Operator's representative stated that the deepest portion of the pond remains to be backfilled. <br />The Operator has backfilled portions of the exposed groundwater pond, leaving approximately 22 acres of <br />exposed groundwater (see figure 1). There was no evidence of excessive erosion. The Operator has a valid <br />Substitute Water Supply Plan, for the exposed groundwater pond. There appeared to be no significant impacts <br />to the prevailing hydrologic balance. <br />Gen. Compliance With Mine Plan: <br />The approved reclamation plan calls for all slopes to be graded to 3H:1V or flatter. The reclamation plan <br />specifies that the Operator will leave some of the exposed groundwater pond. If the Operator plans to leave the <br />exposed groundwater pond, the Operator will need to provide the Division with proof of a permanent <br />augmentation plan or water rights decree. If the Operator plans to backfill the exposed groundwater pond the <br />reclamation plan shall be updated and clarified pursuant to C.R.S. 34- 32.5 -116 (1) to describe the new <br />proposed reclamation plan. The Operator must follow the approved reclamation plan or provide sufficient <br />information to describe or identify how the operator intends to conduct reclamation. Minor deviations from a <br />Reclamation Plan require at a minimum the submittal of a Technical Revision, with the required $216 revision <br />fee, to update and clarify the current approved reclamation plan to reflect existing and proposed activities. <br />Roads: <br />The access road was stable and well maintained. <br />Reclamation Success: <br />The Operator has successfully backfilled and graded portions of the exposed groundwater pond. The Operator <br />has also successfully established the desired vegetation on approximately 22 acres in the southwestern portion <br />of the affected lands just south of the main access road. <br />Reve etation: <br />There was some plant growth throughout portions of the backfilled area. The growth in the backfilled area <br />appeared to be volunteer vegetation, comprised of a few grasses and weeds. The 22 acres of reclaimed lands in <br />the southwestern portion of the pit have been successfully revegetated and have a strong mix of grasses and a <br />few shrubs. However, the southwestern revegetated portion of the affected lands had a few scattered tamarisk <br />trees, leafy spurge and a variety of thistles. This will be cited as a problem for failure to implement weed <br />control methods for state listed noxious weed species within the permitted area, and to reduce the spread of <br />weeds to nearby areas as required by Section 3.1.10(6) of the Construction Rules. <br />Erosion/Sedimentation: <br />There was no evidence of excessive erosion (rills, gullies, or sediment fans). <br />Page 3 of 8 <br />