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PERMIT #: M-2000-059 <br />INSPECTOR’S INITIALS: TOD <br />INSPECTION DATE: August 27, 2015 <br /> <br />Page 2 of 5 <br />OBSERVATIONS <br /> <br />This routine monitoring inspection was conducted by Tyler O’Donnell of the Division of Reclamation, Mining <br />and Safety (Division). Geroux Gravel, the Operator, was notified about the date and time of the inspection as <br />required by Rule 3.2(2). The Operator did not attend the scheduled inspection. Andy Kagan, with Kagan and <br />Son, LLC, the contract miner, was present and represented the Operator during the inspection. <br /> <br />The Geroux Gravel Pit is located in Custer County approximately 1 mile south of Westcliffe, Colorado. The <br />Geroux Gravel Pit is a 9.9-acre 110c Construction Materials Reclamation Permit. The permit was issued in <br />February 2001. The primary commodity mined at the site is sand and gravel. The approved post-mining land <br />use is rangeland. The mine site was surrounded by the following land uses: residential, agricultural, and <br />rangeland. <br /> <br />No problems or violations were noted during the inspection. During the inspection, the sky was clear and the <br />ground was dry. At the present time it appears that the mining operation has affected approximately 7 to 8 acres. <br />No active mining was taking place during the inspection. It appears that mining was progressing from the south <br />to the north. Concurrent reclamation had been taking place, the southern half of the permitted site was in various <br />phases of reclamation. The contract miner was in the process of backfilling and grading approximately 2 acres <br />of affected land located in the southcentral half of the permit site. <br /> <br />Backfilling and Grading: <br />Approximately 1.75 acres of the southern most affected area had been backfilled, and graded to 3H:1V. This area <br />also had topsoil spread throughout and had been revegetated. The contract miner was in the process of backfilling <br />and grading approximately 2 acres of the southcentral portion of the permitted site. Throughout the site slopes <br />were near 3H:1V or flatter. Much of the site daylights to the west. No active highwall was observed during the <br />inspection. <br /> <br />Financial Warranty: <br />The current amount of financial warranty the Operator has on deposit with the State is $24,000.00. <br />The reclamation cost estimate for this permit was updated with this inspection. It was determined that the current <br />financial warranty amount is adequate to conduct the approved reclamation plan. <br /> <br />Hydrologic Balance: <br />The site is located just east of Grape Creek. The site was dry, no exposed groundwater was observed during the <br />inspection. There appeared to be no significant impacts to the prevailing hydrologic balance. <br /> <br />Roads: <br />The access road was stable and well maintained. <br /> <br />Reclamation Success: <br />The southern half of the site has been backfilled and graded. Reclaimed slopes ranged from 3H:1V or flatter, <br />creating a stable land surface. Topsoil had been spread through the majority of the southern half of the site. <br />Portions of the southern half have been revegetated. The furthest south portion, approximately 1.75 acres was <br />seeded 3 years ago. Vegetative cover had begun to establish very well on the 1.75 acres. Within a growing season <br />or two the southernmost area, roughly 1.75 acres, could be eligible for release from the permit, through an acreage <br />reduction request (enclosed form). <br /> <br /> <br />