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PERMIT#: M-2004-052 <br /> INSPECTOR'S INITIALS:TCW <br /> INSPECTION DATE:October 24,2016 <br /> OBSERVATIONS <br /> This was a pre-operation inspection of the expansion of the Rafert Pit, conducted by TC Wait of the Division of <br /> Reclamation, Mining and Safety(Division). Mr. Randy Schafer was present during the inspection, representing <br /> the Operator. The pre-operation inspection is part of the review process of the permit application that was <br /> filed with the Division by Phillips County.The proposed permit area is to be expanded from the existing 9.9 <br /> acres to add 21.5 acres, increasing the total permit area to 31.4 acres. The primary commodity to be mined is <br /> sand and gravel for road gravel and base.The proposed post-mining land use is cropland. <br /> The site is located approximately 7.5 miles east and 2 miles north of Holyoke, CO. The site is accessed from <br /> County Road 26. An existing gravel haul road extends from the existing pit south to the County Road. The <br /> permit sign and public notice sign were posted on CR26. The expansion will be to the south and east of the <br /> existing pit, with an additional area of about one acre north of the northwest corner of the existing pit. Mr. <br /> Schafer indicated that two areas in the existing pit had recently been repaired from erosion; one area on the <br /> south side toward the east end of the pit, and one on the north side toward the west end of the pit. <br /> The proposed expansion corners were marked with yellow markers. The expansion area is currently being <br /> used as cropland, and a recent planting of winter wheat was sprouted. Mr. Schafer indicated that it is difficult <br /> to keep the boundary markers in while the land is being used for agriculture, as it makes it difficult to grow, <br /> tend, and harvest crops. The County does have GPS locations for the corner markers so that posts can be <br /> replaced as needed. <br /> The mining plan indicates that mining will be as deep as 20 feet below ground surface, and will be done at a <br /> 3:1 slope to the bottom of the pit. The existing pit has walls that are not sloped, which has created an erosion <br /> problem with the surface loess soils and subsequent piping into the pit. <br /> Wildhorse Creek is shown to run through the site. The creek bed was dry at the time of the site inspection, <br /> and likely runs only after significant storm events. No standing water was noted in the existing pit or on the <br /> ground in the vicinity of the proposed expansion. <br /> During the inspection, migrating sandhill cranes were observed in the area; no wildlife was observed on the <br /> site. <br /> Page 2 of 5 <br />