2016-09-24_INSPECTION - M1991073

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PERMIT#: M-1991-073 INSPECTOR'S INITIALS: MAC INSPECTION DATE: September 15,2016 OBSERVATIONS The inspection was conducted by Michael Cunningham and Wally Erickson of the Division of Reclamation, Mining and Safety (Division). Rick Spady of Kiowa County was also present for the inspection. The Ferris Pit is located approximately 13 miles north of Haswell, Colorado. The site is permitted for 9.8 acres and the post- mining land use is rangeland. On July 25, 2016, the Division received a request for a full performance warranty release. Pursuant to Rule 4.17.2, the Division sent notice of the release request to the Cheyenne County Commissioners, the Cheyenne Conservation District and the landowner. The Division did not receive any comments from the noticed parties. The purpose of the inspection was to verify the site had been reclaimed in accordance with the approved Reclamation Plan and the Reclamation Performance Standards of the Construction Materials Rules. The pit slopes have all been graded to 3H:1V and were generally found to be stable with the exception of some minor rilling on the south pit slope. The Operator has seeded the site twice, with the most recent seeding occurring approximately 4 years ago. The vegetative cover within the pit is highly variable. The northern half of the pit has an adequate vegetative cover of grasses including sideoats gramma, blue gramma and galleta. The southern portion of the pit has relatively few grasses established and is dominated mostly by annual weeds. The lack of vegetation on the southern pit slope was noted in the previous inspection report. In 2014, the Operator had applied manure to the southern and eastern slopes and these same areas currently lack vegetation. The manure application may have inhibited the growth of the planted grass species by being spread too deep without adequate disking. The Division recommends a reseeding of the southern half of the pit. The drill seeding should occur perpendicular to the slope to prevent any further rilling from occurring. Minimal seed bed preparation is required and the Operator should seed into the existing stand of stubble. The seeding window for forage is between November 15 and April 15; seeding should not occur when the ground is frozen. The landowner is currently grazing the property; no cattle were seen during the inspection. Cattle should be excluded from the areas which are reseeded if possible. The Division also observed the earthen mounds present at each the boundary markers had not been graded flat. The Operator stated the mounds will be graded this fall at the same time the site is reseeded. In addition, the Operator will roughen the top of the southern pit slope to prevent stormwater runoff from flowing down the slope. Based on the observations made during the inspection and recorded in this report, the site is not eligible for release at this time. Notice of the Division's decision regarding the release request will be sent under separate cover. Page 2 of 4