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PERMIT #: M-1982-155 <br />INSPECTOR’S INITIALS: TC1 <br />INSPECTION DATE: May 26, 2016 <br /> <br /> <br />Page 2 of 8 <br /> <br />OBSERVATIONS <br /> <br />This inspection was conducted as part of the regular monitoring program. The Operator (Schmidt Construction) <br />was represented by Messrs. Dan Chavez and Mark Heifner who were present for the inspection. <br /> <br />The Fountain Pit access road entrance is located off Charter Oak Ranch Road from Exit 128 on I-25, Near Fountain <br />CO. This is a 112c sand and gravel mine. The mine was active at the time of the inspection. <br /> <br />Inspection: <br />Markers & Boundary – A permit sign was displayed at the site entrance (see Photo 1). The affected area <br />boundary was marked by a berm on the east side with PVC markers (see Photo 2). <br /> <br />Mining Plan – Working highwalls were observed to be approximately 30 feet high and near vertical (see Photo <br />3). The approved mine plan appears to allow steep highwalls except near the affected area boundary where <br />they are mined at flatter slopes or back-filled as shown in Photo 4. There appears to be adequate overburden <br />stockpiled on the pit floor for back-filling/flattening the highwalls (see Photo 5). <br /> <br />A 49.8-acre area was added to the permit to the northwest of the active pit with the approval of Amendment 3 <br />(AM-03) in January 2012. However, the additional bond for this amendment was never submitted to the <br />Division. This area had not been disturbed at the time of the inspection. The Operator indicated they would <br />like to mine this area. This inspector advised the Operator that as the bond was not submitted within 365 days <br />of the amendment approval, they would need to request reconsideration from the Mined Land Re clamation <br />Board, and submit additional bond prior to mining this area (see the discussion in the records section below). <br /> <br />Reclamation – There are approximately 63 acres in the northeast corner of the permit area that have been <br />mined and reclaimed for which the Division would consider for reclamation liability release if the Operator were <br />to formally request a release (see Figure 1 below Google Earth satellite imagery from 11/2/2015) and Photo 6. <br /> <br />Topsoil stockpiles are located on the crest of the north side of the active pit (see Photo 7). <br /> <br />Environmental – No problems with contaminant spills, erosion/sedimentation, or exposed groundwater were <br />observed. A few small tamarisk were observed in the north end of the active pit. The small number of these <br />noxious weeds were not considered to be a problem, but he Operator was advised to treat them before they <br />become a problem. <br /> <br />Records: <br /> Revisions: Amendment 3 (AM-03) was approved in January 2012. An additional financial <br />warranty of $122,134.00 was required prior to mining the additional 49.8 acres. The Division <br />never received the additional warranty. This additional warranty should be updated by the <br />Division if a reconsideration by the MLRB is approved. Technical Revision (TR-02) was approved <br />in 1998 to add a wash plant to the operation. This added a stipulation (ST-01) to the permit <br />requiring the Operator to meet the requirements of applicable Colorado water laws and <br />regulations to secure the necessary water. During the inspection the Operator stated they have <br />not used water in their screening process for quite some time and that the water delivery pipeline <br />was abandoned in place. As such the ssssststipulation has been removed by the Division has