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BEFORE THE MINED LAND RECLAMATION BOARD <br />STATE OF COLORADO <br />Violation No. MV-2020-019 <br />FINDINGS OF FACT, CONCLUSIONS OF LAW, AND ORDER <br />IN THE MATTER OF A POSSIBLE VIOLATION BY GREG MORRILL, CEASE <br />AND DESIST ORDER; CORRECTIVE ACTIONS; AND CIVIL PENALTIES FOR <br />FAILING TO OBTAIN A RECLAMATION PERMIT PRIOR TO ENGAGING IN A <br />NEW MINING OPERATION, File No. M-2020-025 <br />THIS MATTER came before the Mined Land Reclamation Board ("Board") <br />on July 22, 2020 via video conference as a consent agenda item to consider a <br />possible violation by Greg Morrill ('Operator"), cease and desist order, corrective <br />action, and a civil penalty for failing to obtain a reclamation permit before <br />engaging in a new mining operation, file number M-2020-025. <br />The Board, having considered the materials presented with this consent <br />agenda item and having been otherwise fully informed of the facts in the matter, <br />enters the following. <br />FINDINGS OF FACT <br />1. On April 28, 2020, the Division of Reclamation, Mining and Safety <br />("Division") received a citizen complaint regarding an alleged unpermitted mining <br />operation approximately six miles northwest of Uravan, Colorado. The site, known <br />as the Bancroft Placer Mine, is located in Section 10, Township 48 North, Range 18 <br />West, 10th Principal Meridian in Montrose County, Colorado. <br />2. On May 1, 2020, the Division inspected the site in response to the <br />complaint. During the inspection, the Division observed disturbed areas on both <br />sides of Highway 141 totaling approximately 2 acres, and a processing area on the <br />west side of the highway. The processing area contained a gas -powered screen and <br />sluice box system, stockpile area, and settling pond. Water for the process area is <br />pumped form the Dolores River, but Operator does not have appropriate water <br />rights for that use. During the inspection, the Division informed Operator that a <br />reclamation permit issued by the Board was required prior to engaging in mining <br />operations. <br />