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PERMIT #: M-1981-287 <br />INSPECTOR'S INITIALS: ECS <br />INSPECTION DATE: November 17, 2017 <br />OBSERVATIONS <br />This is a routine monitoring inspection conducted by Eric Scott of the Division of Reclamation Mining and <br />Safety. The site was previously inspected by DRMS in September of 2013. The permittee, Mr. Nikolaus <br />Arnusch was present during the inspection. The site identification sign and permit boundary markers were <br />not present at either pit location at the time of this inspection as noted on the first page of this report. These <br />items will need to be properly replaced by the corrective action date listed (December 29, 2017) and photos of <br />the replaced sign and markers submitted to DRMS. <br />The site is permitted for a total of 9.8 acres in two locations; an 8.1 acre north pit and a 1.7 acre south pit. The <br />south pit was not inspected. Based on historic aerial photos and this site visit, the south pit has not been <br />mined. The area where the south pit is located was indistinguishable from the surrounding area. Both <br />permitted areas are located in the bed of Lost Creek. Lost Creek is an intermittent stream with a sand bed <br />that was dry during this inspection. <br />Based on DRMS records the site has not been active for at least 20 years. This is supported by the field <br />observations of established vegetation and minimal disturbance in the northern pit area (see attached <br />representative photos of northern pit). Because this extended period of inactivity significantly exceeds the ten <br />years provided by two consecutive five-year periods of temporary cessation as allowed by rule, the permittee <br />should either resume active mining activities, or release the site immediately. <br />There was a small area of recent disturbance near the south boundary of the northern pit, however Mr. <br />Arnsuch stated that this material was removed by himself and his sons for use on his own property, and not <br />sold. Due to the extended period of inactivity as stated above, the minimal disturbance existing at the site at <br />this time, and the fact that the existing disturbance is located in the bottom of an intermittent drainage where <br />it will be eliminated during the next flow event, DRMS would support the release of the permit at this time if <br />the permittee submitted a release request and no objections were received. <br />Inspection Contact Address <br />Nikolaus Arnusch <br />34527 WCR 6 <br />Keenesburg, CO 80643 <br />Page 2 of <br />