2021-01-11_INSPECTION - M1981229

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PERMIT#:M-1981-229 INSPECTOR'S INITIALS: ACY INSPECTION DATE: January 11,2021 OBSERVATIONS This was a follow up monitoring inspection conducted by the Colorado Division of Reclamation, Mining and Safety. The Valley Vista Pit is a 112 permitted site located off 32 Road, approximately 5 miles south of Clifton in Mesa County. Amy Yeldell of the Division conducted the inspection. Greg Monger represented the Operator, Parkerson Construction, Inc. The site was last inspected on October 15, 2020. The site was identified as being significantly under-bonded. The Operator in turn made a commitment to conduct significant reclamation activities prior to a follow up inspection. Additionally TR-1 made minor modifications to the site which aided in reclamation progress. The site was re-inspected and found to be completely reclaimed. The scale and scale house on the west side of the pit have been removed. The small section of disturbance associated with this area has been seeded. The asphalt road to the top of the mesa remains in place. All stockpiles have been removed from site. The entire pit has been graded and shaped. All slopes are at a 3H: IV or shallower. Mr. Monger indicated that additional topsoil and overburden material was imported. The site remains fairly rocky given the lack of fine soils materials present. The entire pit has been drill seeded with the exception of the road which transects the pit floor for future access (approved under TR-1). The approved reclamation plan calls for straw mulching after seeding. No mulch was observed on site. The operator may experience a higher failure rate without mulching given the arid nature of this site. Furthermore without soil to crimp straw mulch into place other types of mulch such as shredded bark or wood may prove more effective. As reclamation progresses the operator is encouraged to actively monitor the site. Aggressive noxious weed management in the first couple of years will be crucial. Additionally if specific areas have failed to germinate touch up seeding as practical is recommended. The Division currently requires a financial warranty amount of$77,800 for this site. In an effort to ensure the Financial Warranty adequately reflects, the actual current cost of fulfilling the requirements of the approved reclamation plan, the Division has updated the reclamation cost estimate and found the current bond to be sufficient. Responses to this inspection report should be directed to: Amy Yeldell at the Division of Reclamation, Mining and Safety, 1313 Sherman St., Room 215, Denver, CO 80203. Direct contact can be made by phone at 303-866- 3567 Ext 8183 or via email at amy.yeldellgstate.co.us Inspection Contact Address Greg Monger Parkerson Construction, Inc. 710 S. 15th St Grand Junction, CO 81501 Enclosure CC: Travis Marshall, Senior EPS, Grand Junction DBMS Page 2 of 4