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PERMIT#: M-2018-052 <br /> INSPECTOR'S INITIALS: ECS <br /> INSPECTION DATE: October 4,2018 <br /> OBSERVATIONS <br /> This was an inspection of an unpermitted site conducted by Eric Scott of DRMS. DRMS was accompanied on this <br /> inspection by Summit County Planning Director Don Reimer and Summit County Chief Building Official Scott Hoffman. <br /> Property owner Steven Hunter also accompanied DRMS and Summit County personnel for this inspection. DRMS was <br /> contacted on October 1, 2018 by Don Reimer,who had received a complaint regarding activity on the Hunter property <br /> located at 510 Bearing Tree Road in Breckenridge CO. Mr. Reimer received photos suggesting unpermitted building and <br /> mining activities, and requested the DRMS accompany Summit County personnel on a site inspection scheduled for the <br /> afternoon of October 4, 2018. <br /> During the inspection, Summit County and DRMS met with property owner Steven Hunter, who showed the inspectors <br /> the structures constructed on his property and the existing excavation (see attached photos and map). A total of 3 <br /> structures have been built on the Hunter property:the first is a two-story structure primarily containing supplies and <br /> tools; a second structure adjacent to the first covers the sluice and associated tools and materials; and a third larger <br /> structure at the end of the footpath covers the excavation, provides shelter and access for the excavated area, and <br /> housed a larger shaker table for material sorting. The third structure has a partial surface platform over the excavation <br /> area and a small electric hoist constructed over the pit to lift filled bags of excavated material to the surface platform. <br /> It appeared all structures and processing equipment had been constructed by the property owner, and that only hand <br /> tools were being utilized for excavation of the pit. Mr. Hunter stated the sluice was used to process sandbag sized <br /> samples of placer and dump material he from obtained from numerous local sites on public lands over the last 10+ <br /> years, and very little, if any,from the excavation on the property. The origin of the feature Mr. Hunter is excavating is <br /> unclear at this time. The previously existing"shaft" may be a feature associated with the larger historic workings <br /> downslope, or a historic prospect pit. Mr. Hunter believes the pit is located on a historic find known as the "Bullion <br /> King" -a gold-bearing vein identified in the area in the late 1800's. <br /> The excavation/pit at this time is roughly cone shaped, approximately 20 feet across at the surface, with a depth of <br /> approximately 15 feet below the original grade. Both Summit County and DRMS estimate the total disturbed area of the <br /> excavation and three structures as less than one acre. However, as stated on the first page of this inspection report, at <br /> this time,the DRMS believes the activities conducted by the property owner, including excavation and processing by <br /> shaker table and sluice, constitute mining without a permit as required by C.R.S. 34-32-109(1). Additionally, Summit <br /> County has informed DRMS that mining activity is specifically excluded as an approved land use under the minimum lot <br /> size variance that was issued by Summit County for this property. <br /> The Colorado Mined Land Reclamation Act defines "mining operation" as "the development or extraction of a mineral <br /> from its natural occurrences on affected land.The term "mining operation" includes, but is not limited to, open mining, <br /> in-situ mining, in-situ leach mining, surface operations, and the disposal of refuse from underground mining, in-situ <br /> mining and in-situ leach mining.The term "mining operation" also includes the following operations on affected lands: <br /> Transportation; concentrating; milling; evaporation; and other processing. The term "mining operation" does not <br /> include: The exploration and extraction of natural petroleum in a liquid or gaseous state by means of wells or pipe; the <br /> development or extraction of coal;the extraction of geothermal resources; smelting, refining, cleaning preparation, <br /> transportation, and other off-site operations not conducted on affected land; or the extraction of construction material <br /> where there is no development or extraction of any mineral." <br /> This possible violation will require a hearing before the Mined Land Reclamation Board (MLRB).The schedule and other <br /> details for the MLRB hearing will be provided under a separate document to be sent via certified mail to the Operator. <br /> Page 2 of 4 <br />