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PERMIT#:M-2015-008 <br /> INSPECTOR'S INITIALS:PSH <br /> INSPECTION DATE:June 17,2020 <br /> OBSERVATIONS <br /> The Blue Valley Pit was inspected by Peter Hays with the Division of Reclamation, Mining and Safety <br /> (Division/DRMS) as part of the Division's monitoring inspection program. Mr.Tim Gerken with Telesto <br /> Solutions, Inc. representing Kirkland Construction, L.L.L.P. was present during the inspection. The site was <br /> previously inspected by the Division on October 3, 2018. <br /> The Special 111 Operation site is permitted for 30 acres of disturbance. The last mining activities occurred in <br /> November 2016 according to the 2020 Annual Report. The site is in final reclamation. The approved post- <br /> mining land use is rangeland. The approved Reclamation Plan states slopes will be reclaimed to 3H:1V or <br /> flatter with 1 to 3 feet of overburden and 6 inches of topsoil replaced during final reclamation. All observed <br /> slopes appeared to be graded to the required 3HAV slope. The slopes are stable and no erosion features <br /> were observed during the inspection. <br /> The site was seeded with the approved reclamation seed mixture in June 2017. The site vegetation cover and <br /> variety of species has improved each year during reclamation. The site vegetation consists of well-established <br /> native grasses including; Bluebunch wheatgrass, Western wheatgrass, Prairie junegrass, Bottlebrush <br /> squirreltail, Indian ricegrass and alfalfa. A few small patches of Downy brome (cheatgrass) a Class C noxious <br /> weed listed on Colorado's Noxious Weed List were observed on the northeast slope. The cheatgrass patches <br /> were isolated and the native vegetation appeared to be outcompeting the cheatgrass. No other noxious <br /> weeds were observed during the inspection. The eastern slope and the location of the office and parking area <br /> contained a few areas with less vegetative cover and bare spots. No standing water was observed on the pit <br /> floor, which was well-vegetated by reclamation grasses. Overall, the site was well-vegetated, stable and <br /> consistent with the approved post-mining land use of rangeland. <br /> The Division currently holds a financial warranty in the amount of$18,078, which is adequate to complete <br /> reclamation at the site based on this inspection. <br /> The site boundaries were delineated by fence on all sides, pursuant to Rule 3.1.12. An entrance sign was not <br /> observed as required by Rule 3.1.12, however this is not cited as a problem by the Division due to the <br /> reclamation status of the site. <br /> The Division recommends the Operator submits a request for full /final release of the entire permitted area <br /> within 60 days of the signature date of this inspection report, August 22, 2020,to allow the Division to use <br /> this inspection as the required release inspection, pursuant to Rule 4.17.2(2). <br /> Photographs taken during the inspection are attached. If you need additional information or have any <br /> questions, please contact me at Division of Reclamation, Mining and Safety, 1313 Sherman Street, Room 215, <br /> Denver, CO 80203, by telephone at 303.866.3567 x 8124, or by email at peter.hays@state.co.us. <br /> Page 2 of 8 <br />