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PERMIT #: M-2001-022 <br />INSPECTOR'S INITIALS: PSH <br />INSPECTION DATE: December 10, 2015 <br />OBSERVATIONS <br />The Green/Croissant Mine was inspected by Peter Hays with the Division of Reclamation, Mining and Safety <br />(Division/DRMS) as part of the Division's monitoring inspection program. Mrs. Stephanie Fancher with <br />Loveland Ready Mix was present during the inspection. The Division previously inspected the site on <br />September 26, 2012. <br />The Division currently holds a financial warranty in the amount of $350,400.00, which appeared adequate to <br />perform reclamation at the site based on the observations from this inspection. <br />The Operator stated the final augmentation plan for the site, Case No. 09CW105, has been approved by the <br />Water Court. The Operator will need to submit proof of the final augmentation plan approval by the Office of <br />State Engineer (SEO) to the Division prior to any future full release request consideration by the Division. <br />The site was active during the inspection. The concrete batch plant located in the northwest corner of the site <br />was operational and mining was occurring in Cell 4. The mined material is conveyed along the southern edge <br />of the mining Cells 1-3 to the processing plant. Mining activity is complete in Cells 1, 2 and 3. Cell 1 is used as <br />a source for wash water for processing activities. Cell 2 is divided into 3 sections. The western portion of Cell <br />2 is completely backfilled and is used for the recycled concrete operation and recycled concrete stockpile <br />storage. The middle portion of Cell 2 is being backfilled with wash fines. The peninsula of material between <br />the middle and eastern portions of Cell 2 will be mined before the eastern portion of Cell 3 is backfilled with <br />wash fines. The eastern portion of Cell 2 was used as a settling pond with a pump located in the northeastern <br />corner of the pond. The slopes for all three cells appeared to be 2H:1V, which is steeper than the approved <br />3H:1V final slopes. Stormwater berms have been constructed around the perimeter of the cells and <br />vegetation consisted of annual weeds. No erosion features were observed in the cells. <br />The approved reclamation plan for the site states Cell 1 and the western part of Cell 2 will be backfilled with <br />overburden and processing fines to create a potential 10 acre commercial/retail development and reclaimed <br />wetlands. The eastern part of Cell 2, Cell 3 and Cell 4 are planned to be reclaimed to wildlife ponds. The <br />Operator stated during this and the last inspection the final reclamation plan for the site has changed. The <br />current plan is to leave Cell 1 as an open water pond, backfill most of Cell 2 with the exception of the eastern <br />portion and the eastern half of Cell 3 will not be mined due to the pipeline located in the area. The Operator <br />will be required to submit a technical revision, per Rule 1.9, to update the approved Reclamation Plan. <br />The mining excavation in Cell 4 is ongoing. The Division estimates approximately 75% of the cell had been <br />disturbed at the time of the inspection with only the western portion of the cell remaining undisturbed. <br />Mining activities are progressing to the west. Dewatering trenches and pumps were observed during the <br />inspection. Overburden and topsoil was stockpiled adjacent to the excavation. The southeastern corner of <br />the Cell has been regraded to the required 3H:1V slope. The flood damage repair from the 2013 flood along <br />the northern portion of Cell 4 is ongoing. Portions of the flood damaged vegetation is reestablishing. <br />Additional revegetation work will be required to complete the restoration of the damaged area. <br />The Operator stated they are in the process of rezoning the northern portion of the mine site owned by <br />Loveland Ready Mix to industrial/commercial with Weld County. The rezoning would allow the Operator to <br />operate the concrete batch plant at the current location long term. Material would be imported to the site <br />from other mine sites once the mining reserve is exhausted at the site. The change in post -mining land use <br />Page 2 of 8 <br />