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PERMIT #: M-1990-021 <br />INSPECTOR'S INITIALS: SJM <br />INSPECTION DATE: November 16, 2017 <br />OBSERVATIONS <br />This was a normal monitoring inspection of the Virginia Acres, DRMS File No. M-1990-021 operated by Old <br />Castle SE Group, dba United Companies of Mesa County. This site is located 3 miles east of Grand Junction, <br />Colorado in Mesa County and is accessed from C % Road off of 30 Road. I, Stephanie Mitchell of the Colorado <br />Division of Reclamation, Mining and Safety conducted the inspection. Mr. Jason Burkey of United Companies <br />accompanied me on the inspection. Mr. Pete Firmin of Colorado Parks and Wildlife who is representing the <br />Landowner, CPW was also in attendance. <br />This is a 17.7 acre 112c operation. Mining is complete and the Operator has completed reclaiming the site <br />with some revegetation success in except for the area located near the entrance of the pit- northern portion <br />of the permit area. This area only has Rabbit Brush sparsely established. The perimeter side slopes of the pit <br />have been graded to a 3:1 horizontal to vertical ratio. All pond slopes are successfully reclaimed. The post <br />mining land use is Recreation. The south portion of the permit area consists of several ponds reclaimed for <br />wildlife habitat. The ponds are adjacent to the Colorado Riverfront Trail. <br />Virginia Acres has been problematic for revegetation establishment in an area less than 3 acres. United <br />Companies has submitted several Technical Revisions to the Division changing seed mixes in 2010 and 2014. <br />At this point the Division suggests submitting another Technical Revision to include soil testing. There could <br />be an imbalance in nutrients to secure revegetation efforts, such as high salinity or nitrogen. This is noted as a <br />problem at the beginning of this inspection report. Please submit a Technical Revision to the Division by <br />February 15, 2018 to include soil test results and an approach to rectify the growth medium with additional <br />soil amendments. <br />Responses to this inspection report should be directed to Stephanie Mitchell at the Division of <br />Reclamation, Mining & Safety, Grand Junction Field Office, 101 South 3rd Street, Room 301, Grand <br />Junction, Colorado 81501, phone number 970.242.5025. <br />Page 2 of 5 <br />