2022-03-03_INSPECTION - C2010089

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March 23, 2022 C-2010-089/New Horizon North Mine JHB amounted to less than the area allowed under 4.15.7(5)(a). FISH and WILDLIFE—Rule 4.18: Due the snow and cold temperatures,little wildlife were observed. However,a flock of about 6 to 8 Sandhill cranes passed over the reclaimed mine during the inspection. HYDROLOGIC BALANCE -Rule 4.05 Drainage Control 4.05.1,4.05.2,4.05.3; Siltation Structures 4.05.5,4.05.6; Discharge Structures 4.05.7,4.05.10; Diversions 4.05.4;Effluent Limits 4.05.2; Ground Water Monitoring 4.05.13; Surface Water Monitoring 4.05.13; Drainage—Acid and Toxic Materials 4.05.8;Impoundments 4.05.6,4.05.9; Stream Buffer Zones 4.05.18: Two reclaimed ditches are included in the SL3 bond release request. One of the reclaimed ditches is the buried CC irrigation ditch. The operator replaced the open ditch with a buried pipe. The surface above the irrigation pipe has been reclaimed to dryland pasture. This parcel is located north of Garvey property and is contained within land owned by Elk Creek Mining and Reclamation, LLC. The reclaimed CC ditch was snow covered and not visible at the time of the inspection. This parcel will require a follow up inspection once the snow has melted off. The second reclaimed ditch is a sediment control structure located on the south side of Meehan Draw. This parcel, NHN-001,consists of 3.7 acres of dryland pasture, seeded in 2017. The operator is requesting Phase II and III bond release on this parcel. Since it was a sediment control structure it is not subject to the 10 year minimum liability time frame. However,this reclaimed parcel was covered with snow and indiscernible at the time of the inspection. This parcel is located north of Garvey property and is contained within land owned by Elk Creek Mining and Reclamation, LLC. This parcel will require a follow up inspection once the snow has melted off. The South,East and West ditches were not included in the bond release request. All three of these ditches were partially snow covered but functioning appropriately. Pond 2 was partially snow covered,with no standing water or ice in the bottom of the pond. Pond 1 was partially snow covered,with no standing water or ice in the pond. Both ponds were functional and in good repair. RECLAMATION SUCCESS-Rule 4.15,Rule 3: ERMR has requested Phase II bond release for the irrigated pasture. The irrigated pasture is dormant and snow covered. The irrigated pasture consists of 88.3 acres that has been planted to an alfalfa/grass pasture, and is irrigated by a center pivot sprinkler system. Mr. Garvey confirmed that they add gravel to the sprinkler wheel ruts if the wheels begin to sink too much and create concentrated flow paths for the irrigation runoff. This is acceptable to the farmer. Gravel material have been stockpiled at the partially reclaimed facilities area. Additional topsoil is stockpiled at the north east side of the irrigated pasture for the farmers' use if necessary. Dustin Garvey did not have any specific concerns regarding the irrigated pasture. Tail water runs off to the south of the pond,is treated by the silt fencing at the southern edge of the topsoil replacement area, and flows across the partially reclaimed facilities area to Pond 1. Although the pasture was snow covered during the inspection,the Division has observed this specific pasture monthly during regular inspections,the operator has provided vegetative data for this field, and the farmer has stated his satisfaction with the progress of the pasture Number of Partial Inspection this Fiscal Year: 4 Number of Complete Inspections this Fiscal Year: 3 Page 3 of 8