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PERMIT#: M-19833---112 <br /> INSPECTOR'S INITIALS: AME <br /> INSPECTION DATE: October 11,2018 <br /> OBSERVATIONS <br /> This was a normal monitoring inspection of the Murdock Gravel Pit (Permit No. M-1983-112) conducted by <br /> Amy Eschberger of the Division of Reclamation, Mining and Safety(Division). Mr. Allen Watts represented <br /> the operator during the inspection. The site is located approximately 8 miles southwest of Sheridan Lake, <br /> Colorado in Kiowa County. Access to the site is from the northwest off Co Rd J. Photos 1-10 taken during the <br /> inspection are included with this report. <br /> This is a 110c operation permitted for 9.2 acres to mine sand and gravel for use in county road construction and <br /> maintenance(see enclosed mining plan map). No material processing occurs on site. Mined material is directly <br /> hauled off site for use or temporarily stockpiled on the pit floor until needed. An existing pit was incorporated <br /> into the permit area. The permitted operation expanded the pit southward, westward, and eastward. The permit <br /> area is circular in shape with a straight northern boundary following the property line. <br /> The approved post-mining land use for the site is agricultural. The approved reclamation plan for the site <br /> includes grading all disturbed slopes to 3H:1 V or flatter, replacing 9-12 inches of topsoil on disturbed land, and <br /> seeding the land with a native grass seed mixture. Technical Revision No. 1, approved in 2000, clarified that <br /> enough topsoil would be salvaged on site to meet the requirements of the reclamation plan. <br /> The site was not active during the inspection. A permit sign was posted at the main site entrance. The corners of <br /> the northern permit boundary were delineated by T-posts. The rest of the permit boundary was delineated by a <br /> topsoil berm which has now been used for reclamation. The site is currently in final reclamation. The operation <br /> completed final grading and topsoil replacement of the pit area in Fall of 2017. The site was seeded in early <br /> November of 2017. The Division observed that pit slopes have been graded to the approved final configuration <br /> of 3H:1 V or flatter. The pit floor is graded to allow the pit to drain to the east. Some ponded water was present <br /> in the pit during the inspection due to a recent storm event. <br /> Vegetative cover of the pit area consists primarily of annual weeds at this time. However, the Division did <br /> observe some grasses growing in rows from where the site was drill-seeded last Fall. While the site is <br /> undergoing revegetation, pit slopes are more susceptible to erosion. No significant erosion problems were <br /> observed. However, some minor rilling was observed along pit walls, particularly at the western edge of the pit. <br /> Mr. Watts indicated the operation will continue to monitor the site during reclamation, repairing any significant <br /> erosion damage, controlling weeds, and interseeding the site as necessary to establish a good stand of native <br /> grasses. Successful revegetation of the site may require a few more growing seasons. <br /> Pursuant to Rule 3.1.3, the operator has five years to complete final reclamation once mining has ceased. In this <br /> case, final reclamation began in Fall of 2017. Therefore, the operator has until Fall of 2022 to complete <br /> reclamation of the site. <br /> The operator appears to be following the approved reclamation plan. No problems were observed. <br /> This concludes the report. <br /> Page 2 of 8 <br />