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PERMIT#:M-2000-028 <br /> INSPECTOR'S INITIALS:JPL <br /> INSPECTION DATE:July 28,2021 <br /> OBSERVATIONS <br /> The Ferrero Pit was inspected by Patrick Lennberg and Jared Ebert with the Division of Reclamation, Mining <br /> and Safety(Division/DRMS).The inspection was completed as part of the Division's routine monitoring <br /> inspection program. The site was previously inspected by the Division on October 31, 2017 as part of a citizens <br /> complaint the Division received from the land owner Larry Menegatti. Michael Ferrero, accompanied us during <br /> the inspection. The weather was clear. <br /> The Ferrero Pit is located in Huerfano County approximately 12 miles south-southeast of Walsenburg off of <br /> County Road 317.The mine is a 110 construction materials permit for 7.3 acres on property owned by Larry <br /> Menen. The primary commodity that was mined at the site was gravel. The approved post-mining land use is <br /> rangeland and the land surrounding the pit is rangeland. A mine sign was posted at the mine entrance <br /> pursuant to Rule 3.1.12. <br /> The mine was not active at the time of inspection and is currently in final reclamation.The disturbed area is <br /> approximately 2.2 acres in size. The side slopes have been graded to 3H:1V shallower around most of the <br /> perimeter of the disturbed area. Vegetation has become established in some areas, however, there are some <br /> bare ground exposed in other areas. Also noted in the reclaimed areas where several clumps of Yellow <br /> Starthistle which is a List A noxious weed in Colorado and targeted for eradication, see attachment 1. The <br /> presence of the List A noxious weed in the reclaimed area is being cited as a problem in this report. During the <br /> inspection Mr. Ferrero stated he would return in a week to spray for weeds. If spraying is not successful the <br /> Division recommends contacting Charles Bryant the Huerfano County Weed Manager at 719-989-1353 to <br /> develop a mitigation plan for the area.The pit area as well as the surrounding area is actively being grazed. It <br /> is recommended the operator fence off the disturbed area and reseed. Keeping the cattle away from the area <br /> will reduce noxious weeds and allow for new growth to become established. At the time of inspection the <br /> Division recommended the operator return to the site in the fall to reseed the area and fence it off. The <br /> operator agreed to return in the fall to reseed and possibly fence the area off. Reseeding will be done with a <br /> drill-seeding or broadcast seeding, it was stated that if broadcast seeding is used the seeding rate needs to be <br /> doubled. <br /> The Division was able to GPS all four permit corners and associated tee-posts all disturbed areas are within the <br /> permit boundary. <br /> The Division evaluated the financial warranty and estimated the bond amount for the remaining reclamation <br /> activities to be $4,227.00.The current bond held by the Division is $13,887.00, an excess of$9,660.00.The <br /> operator may request a surety reduction, attachment 2,to recoup the excess surety held by the Division. <br /> However,the Division will not approve a surety reduction request until the problem cited in this report has <br /> been abated. <br /> Photographs taken during the inspection are attached. <br /> Please contact Patrick Lennberg(303)866-3567 ext. 8114 or email at patrick.lennberg@state.co.us if you have <br /> any questions regarding this report. <br /> Page 2 of 8 <br />