2015-07-21_INSPECTION - M1977301

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PERMIT #: M-1977-301 INSPECTOR'S INITIALS: MAC INSPECTION DATE: June 18, 2015 OBSERVATIONS The inspection was conducted by Michael Cunningham of the Division of Reclamation, Mining and Safety (Division). Brian Tideman and Clint Beck were present on behalf of Colorado Lien Company. The Roberts Quarry is located one half mile east of Livermore, Colorado. The commodity of interest is limestone and the post -mining land use is rangeland. On May 27, 2015, the Division received a request for a surety reduction based on reclamation performed and current disturbance. The Operator requested the financial warranty be reduced from $565,500.00 to $279,000.00. In accordance with Rule 4.17.2(1), the Division mailed notice of the surety reduction request to the owner of record to the affected land, the Larimer County Commissioner, and Fort Collins Conservation District. The Division did not receive any comments from the noticed parties. The purpose of the inspection was to evaluate the reclamation which had been performed to date in order to determine if the financial warranty remained adequate to complete reclamation of the site. The site was not active at the time of the inspection. Mining at the Roberts Quarry is being conducted in five phases using conventional quarry methods, including blasting. The Operator blasts the sandstone overburden and limestone. The limestone is loaded and hauled to the crushing, screening and stockpiling area. The sandstone is placed directly into mined out areas or is stockpiled immediately above the active mining area to facilitate concurrent reclamation. Active mining is occurring in phases I and IV. The following observations were made within each of the phases. Phase 1• Approximately 2.8 acres have been reclaimed within Phase I. The Operator has backfilled, graded and seeded the area. Seeding was complete in 2011 and the vegetation is well established. The Division noted several bare areas where the vegetation has yet to fill in. However, the vegetation is capable of self regeneration and will continue to increase in density. As noted above, this phase contains unreclaimed areas where active mining is occurring. Phase II: Approximately 10 acres have been reclaimed within Phase 11. The Operator has backfilled, graded and seeded the area. Seeding was complete in 2013 and the vegetation is well established and capable of self regeneration. All portions of Phase II have been reclaimed. The Operator intends to open this area up for grazing in the near future.* Phase III: Approximately 3.35 acres have been reclaimed within Phase III. The Operator has backfilled, graded and seeded the area. Seeding was complete in 2013 and the vegetation is well established and capable of self regeneration. All portions of Phase III have been reclaimed. The Operator intends to open this area up for grazing in the near future.* *The reclamation performed in Phase Il and 111 is outstanding and the Operator won a Silver Award in Excellence from the National Stone, Sand, and Gravel Association for the reclamation performed in these phases. Page 2 of 5