2021-07-08_INSPECTION - M1984168

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PERMIT#:M-1984-168 INSPECTOR'S INITIALS:RAR INSPECTION DATE: June 29,2021 OBSERVATIONS This inspection was conducted by the Colorado Division of Reclamation,Mining and Safety(The Division), in response to the surety reduction request(SR01)submitted on 22 June 2021. The Williams Fork Pit is a 112c permitted site. It is located approximately four miles south of Craig, Colorado, and accessed from State Highway 13. The site is comprised of land owned by the Colorado State Land Board. Graham Roberts represented Trapper Mine LLC,who operates the pit and accompanied Robin Reilley of The Division on the inspection. The mine identification sign and affected area boundary markers are in place and in compliance with Rule 3.1.12. The sign is located at the entrance of the site. The perimeter has been marked with posts displaying a prominent white PVC top with the letter P marked on it to clearly delineate the permit boundary. The permit boundary runs along road then expands to a rectangular shape of about 99 acres and follows the railroad line along the east boundary. The site,having been reclaimed,was inactive at the time of the inspection. North Pit reclamation won an award. Broadcast seeding followed final backfilling and grading in 2020. No equipment or fuel is stored on site. Several stockpiles of topsoil remain. The site comprises a series of ponds (North Pit Pond,the Peninsula Pond comprising a part of the South Pit Pond), and adjacent to the Yampa River and spaces between ponds. Ponds are approximately 12 feet deep. Pond slopes are gentle and no slopes steeper than a 3:1 exist. Some wave action was observed on the north shore of the south pit pond. Vegetation was well established with the exception of the area seeded in 2020. Grasses and shrubs in the recently reseeded area had emerged and appeared drought stressed due to hot spring temperatures and marginal precipitation. The soil was dry and cracked. Some weeds existed in the recently reseeded areas. Weeds will be treated systematically and within a couple of years present no ongoing impact. Several structures will remain permanent and include the road, the pump house and associated waterline and a structure of corrals at the entrance built by the grazing lease. The railroad line runs along the eastern boundary of the permit area. No problems or violations were noted during this inspection. A discharge permit is in place. As DRMS reviews the permit file in conjunction with the SR01 permitting request adequacy questions may be posed. Responses to this inspection report should be directed to: Robin Reilley 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 8105 or,via email at robin.reilley@ state.co.us Page 2 of 6