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PERMIT #: M-1991-073 <br />INSPECTOR'S INITIALS: ERR <br />INSPECTION DATE: May 12, 2014 <br />OBSERVATIONS <br />The inspection was conducted by Elliott Russell of the Division of Reclamation, Mining and Safety (Division). <br />Rick Spady of Kiowa County was contacted prior to the inspection, but was unable to join the Division. The <br />Ferris Pit is located approximately 13 miles north of Haswell, Colorado and is in the southwest corner of <br />Cheyenne County. The site is an active 110c operation with 9.8 acres permitted and the post -mining land use is <br />rangeland. This inspection was carried out as a part of the Division's routine monitoring inspection program. <br />The site is currently in final reclamation. <br />At 10:45, the Division arrived at mine entrance along County Road 3. At the time of the inspection it was windy <br />and overcast, and the ground was damp from a recent snowfall. The mine site identification sign was observed <br />at the access road entrance. The boundary corners of to the pit were delineated by mounds of dirt; the two <br />western corners also had t -posts. These mounds of dirt will need to be graded out, top -soiled, and seeded before <br />final release of the site can be achieved; when this activity occurs, boundary markers (possibly a t -posts) will <br />need to be placed at the eastern corners of the site. <br />The Ferris Pit appeared to have had a recent application of manure along the southern and eastern slopes of the <br />pit. The vegetation within this area has not yet established; in addition, there was miscellaneous debris along the <br />southern slope, which will need to be removed prior to final release of the site. The remaining areas of the <br />permit had adequate ground cover, except for the access road along the north rim and a few bare spots on the <br />eastern portion of the pit. There were no noxious or invasive species observed during the inspection, but the <br />Division recommends inter -seeding the bare spots throughout the site to ensure these areas become vegetated <br />with the recommended species in the approved reclamation seed mix. A small erosion rill was located in the <br />northwest corner of the site, but appeared to be stable; this feature as well as the eastern and southern slopes <br />should be monitored for erosion until adequately vegetated. <br />In late 2009, a Technical Revision was approved which incorporated a stock water pond in the middle of the site <br />into the reclamation plan. At the time of the inspection the stock water pond was dry, but evidence of recent <br />standing water was observed. <br />An excavation was found approximately 150 feet south of the southwest boundary corner of the site. It appears <br />the excavation is accessed by the same road to the Ferris Pit, but a new access was created within the permitted <br />area along the eastern and southern permit boundaries. After further research, the Applicant informed this <br />excavation was as a result of the landowner. The access to this excavation is within the permit area and though <br />this area has been re -disturbed, it will still need to be reclaimed. If the landowner requests this road to remain <br />and not be a part of the site's reclamation, a Technical Revision to the reclamation plan and a signed letter from <br />the landowner will need to be submitted to the Division. <br />Photographs taken during the inspection are attached. <br />Inspection Contact Address <br />Rick Spady <br />Kiowa County <br />P.O. Box 591 <br />Eads, CO 81036 <br />Page 2 of 4 <br />