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PERMIT #: M-1998-038 <br />INSPECTOR’S INITIALS: TOD <br />INSPECTION DATE: January 14, 2016 <br /> <br />Page 3 of 7 <br />Roads: <br />The asphalt access road was stable, it appears that the access road has not been used recently. All internal pit haul <br />roads appeared to be stable. <br /> <br />Reclamation Success: <br />The Operator has been conducting concurrent reclamation. The Operator has successfully backfilled and graded <br />the northern portions of the gravely terrace to 3H:1V or flatter. The Operator has conducted final reclamation on <br />approximately 42 acres. The vegetative cover on the 42 acres of final reclamation has established well with <br />desired species. This site has not yet undergone complete final reclamation, portions of the affected land have <br />been partially and fully reclaimed. <br /> <br />Revegetation: <br />There was some plant growth on the stockpiles and a little vegetative growth elsewhere in the active mining areas. <br />The growth in the active mining areas appeared to be volunteer vegetation, comprised of grasses and annual <br />weeds. <br /> <br />It appears that 42 acres have been drill seeded with the approved mix. The 42 acres of revegetated area have <br />begun to establish well, with a strong mix of desired species from the approved seedmix and volunteer natives. <br />Tamarisk (salt cedar) trees are present within portions of the reclaimed pit floor and pit slopes. The Tamarisk has <br />become established in a few isolated portions of the affected lands (see photo 1 and 5). This is a problem for <br />failure to employ weed control methods for a state listed noxious weed species within the affected lands, and to <br />reduce the spread of weeds to nearby areas as required by Section 3.1.10 (6) of the rule. This is cited as a problem <br />in the inspection report, and must be corrected by June 30, 2016. <br /> <br />Erosion/sedimentation: <br />There was no evidence of excessive erosion (rills, gullies, or sediment fans). <br /> <br />Signs and Markers: <br />During the previous monitoring inspection, the Division cited a problem for not having a permit sign. A mine <br />I.D. sign was located at the entrance to the mine site, thus resolving the problem cited in the previous inspection. <br />The permit boundary was marked by t-posts and a barbwire fence. <br /> <br />Topsoil: <br />There was a well-vegetated topsoil stockpile located in the southern portion of the site just south of the highwall <br />(see photo 6). It appears the topsoil stockpile has been idle for a long period of time, no recent heavy equipment <br />marks were observed in the topsoil stockpile. There appeared to be an adequate amount of topsoil stockpiled to <br />reclaim the site. <br /> <br />CONCLUSION <br /> <br />It appears that all mining related disturbance has occurred up on the gravel terrace. No mining related disturbance <br />has occurred in the alluvium. The Operator has been conducting adequate concurrent reclamation. Portions of <br />the 42 acres of reclaimed affected lands maybe eligible for final release after this spring and pending adequate <br />weed control (the Division has enclosed the optional release request form). Also if the Operator does not intend <br />to mine down in the Huerfano River or Arkansas River valley alluvium these areas could be release from the <br />permit if the operator choses to request a release. <br /> <br /> <br />