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PERMIT#:M-1981-256 <br /> INSPECTOR'S INITIALS: ECS <br /> INSPECTION DATE: September 2, 2020 <br /> OBSERVATIONS <br /> This was a surety release monitoring inspection for the Eckberg Pit, a Yuma County 112c sand and gravel <br /> permit, conducted by Eric Scott of DRMS. DRMS received the surety release request for this site on August 10, <br /> 2020 and release notice letters were sent to the appropriate parties on August 19, 2020. No comments or <br /> objections to the release request have been received at this time. DBMS met Yuma County Road and Bridge <br /> representative Don Marr at the site, and observed the site with him at approximately 1130. The mining site <br /> identification sign was observed at the Eckberg site entrance, and t-post permit boundary markers were in place. <br /> DRMS and Yuma County also met with property owner Walt Smith prior to entering the site. Mr. Smith stated <br /> that he received the release notice sent by DRMS and that he concurred with the decision to release the permit <br /> at this time. <br /> Yuma County has approximately 45 acres currently permitted at this location, although only a small part of the <br /> overall permitted area was affected by mining. Yuma County, nevertheless has made an extensive effort to <br /> reclaim the previously affected area within the permit boundary as the native soils are prone to erosion, and the <br /> slopes left from prior mining activity were near vertical in places. Additional sloping and contouring has been <br /> completed in previously disturbed areas of the site to blend the affected areas with the surrounding topography, <br /> enhance long term stability, and minimize erosion. The Division is optimistic that the efforts Yuma County has <br /> undertaken, such as the significant slope re-contouring, elimination of previous erosion channels, and surface <br /> water run-on control, will result in a much more stable long term configuration for the site. <br /> The site reclamation grasses appeared to have been well established in the recent past, but had been impacted at <br /> the time of the site visit by drought conditions, and a reportedly severe grasshopper hatch in the area. <br /> Fortunately the grasses and some early reclamation nuisance weeds such as Russian thistle have stabilized the <br /> reclaimed slopes and no evidence of erosion was observed in the reclaimed areas. Lower lying areas were <br /> moisture had remained longer had better establishment of vegetation. Reclaimed affected areas were difficult to <br /> distinguish from the surrounding unmined areas— see attached photos. <br /> DBMS concurs with Yuma County and the property owner that reclamation has been successfully completed at <br /> this site and will approve the request for full permit release at this time. The release will be final and the <br /> performance warranty for the site will be returned when the public comment period expires in 30 days. <br /> Inspection Contact Address <br /> Don Marr <br /> Yuma County <br /> 1310 S. Blake St. <br /> Wray, CO 80758 <br /> Page 2 of 3 <br />