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PERMIT #: P-2012-004 <br />INSPECTOR'S INITIALS: MAC <br />INSPECTION DATE: September 17, 2015 <br />OBSERVATIONS <br />The inspection was conducted by Michael Cunningham of the Division of Reclamation, Mining and Safety <br />(Division). Amy Titterington and Anthony Davila with the U.S. Forest Service (USFS) were also present for the <br />inspection. The Purple Hill prospect site is located approximately 10 miles southwest of Deckers, Colorado in <br />the Pike -San Isabel National Forest. <br />The Division received a request for a full release of the Purple Hill Notice of Intent to Conduct Prospecting <br />(NOI) on August 27, 2015. Prospecting at the Purple Hill site occurred in 2013 and reclamation was completed <br />in the same year. The disturbance consisted of a single trench approximately 50' x 100'. The Operator <br />backfilled the trench and replaced topsoil across the disturbed area. In addition, the Prospector placed fallen <br />and burned timber across the site to minimize erosion. The area was heavily impacted by the Hayman fire of <br />2002. The site was stable and no signs of erosion were observed. <br />The site was broadcast seeded with blue grama, fringed brome, slender wheatgrass and little bluestem. In <br />addition, the Prospector placed fallen and burned timber across the site to minimize erosion. The grasses have <br />grasses have begun to establish throughout the reclaimed area and new germination of grasses was occurring <br />throughout the reclaimed site. Pursuant to the Hard Rock Rule 3.1.10(1), areas requiring revegetation shall be <br />revegetated in such a way as to establish a diverse, effective, and long lasting cover that is capable of self - <br />regeneration without continued dependence on irrigation, soil amendments or fertilizer, and is at least equal <br />in extent of cover to the natural vegetation of the surrounding area. The native grass species which were <br />planted at the site typically take from two to four year to fully establish. The Division found that the grasses in <br />the reclaimed area are not equal in extent to the cover of the natural vegetation of the surrounding area. At a <br />minimum, one more growing season will be required to allow the grasses to fill in. As noted above, there were <br />no signs of erosion, but the potential for erosion remains until the vegetative cover matches that of the <br />surrounding area. <br />The financial warranty for the Purple Hill NO[ is $2,996.00; the Division holds $100.00 and the USFS holds <br />$2,896.00. The Division has determined that the financial warranty remains adequate to complete reclamation <br />at the site. <br />Based on the observations made during the inspection, the site is not eligible for release at this time. Notice of <br />the Division's decision regarding the request for release from further reclamation responsibility will be sent <br />under separate cover. <br />This concluded the inspection. <br />Page 2 of 4 <br />