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PERMIT #: M-1981-148 <br />INSPECTOR’S INITIALS: ECS <br />INSPECTION DATE: June 15, 2020 <br /> <br />Page 2 of 3 <br /> OBSERVATIONS <br /> <br />This was a monitoring inspection of the Chieftain South Mine, a 98.5 acre 112c clay mine permitted by General <br />Shale Brick. This inspection was triggered by a citizen complaint of excessive windblown dust from the site <br />onto adjacent residential properties during recent periods of high wind. The complaint was received via e- <br />mail by the Division from the State of Colorado Incident Reporting Line on June 8, 2020. DRMS contacted the <br />permittee and scheduled a site inspection for Monday June 15, to evaluate conditions at the site. <br /> <br />DRMS met with site representative Jason McGraw on the afternoon of June 15, 2020 to tour the site and <br />document site conditions. No active mining was taking place during the inspection, and Mr. McGraw stated <br />that the mine had been continuing to utilize materials from the existing stockpiles as has been the case for the <br />past several years. <br /> <br />As shown in the attached photos, the hydroseeding and erosion control work completed in late January of <br />2020 has established well in most areas. Even in areas were the existing vegetation was thin, the <br />tackifier/mulch that was placed during the hydroseeding was still present, covering most of the ground <br />surface. The additional vegetation and mulch tackifier should significantly reduce the issue of windblown dust <br />from the site. Given the extent of surface coverage present on site now between new vegetation and mulch <br />remaining from the January 2020 placement, it is unlikely the site could still be a significant source of <br />windblown dust. Especially when fully exposed soil piles and significant areas of bare earth from ongoing <br />residential development still exist in the area. <br /> <br />Although these previous efforts have been successful in significantly reducing windblown dust, there are still <br />some areas on the site where improvements could be made to the existing dust control measures. These <br />areas include portions of the top surface and sides of the southern visual barrier berm, and the working areas <br />near the existing clay stockpiles. Due to the residential development that now is immediately adjacent to the <br />east and south sides of the permit, the operator will need to employ all reasonable measures to minimize <br />fugitive dust from the site on a consistent basis – both during periods of relative inactivity as is the case now, <br />and especially when active operations at the site resume. <br /> <br />As stated on the first page of this report, in an effort to minimize fugitive dust from the site in the future, <br />DRMS is requiring the operator to submit a comprehensive dust suppression plan for the site as a technical <br />revision to the permit within 30 days. This plan should detail the dust control measures to be implemented <br />across the various areas of the site, both during periods of inactivity, as well as when the site resumes active <br />mining. The operator should be prepared to implement the plan as soon as it is approved by the Division. <br /> <br />No other issues of concern were noted during this inspection. <br /> <br /> <br />Inspection Contact Address <br />Jason McGraw <br />General Shale Brick, Inc. <br />1845 W. Dartmouth Ave. <br />Denver, CO 80110 <br />