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PERMIT#:M-1996-076 <br /> INSPECTOR'S INITIALS:ACY <br /> INSPECTION DATE:May 19,2022 <br /> OBSERVATIONS <br /> The Colorado Division of Reclamation, Mining and Safety (Division) conducted an inspection of the Western <br /> Slope Flagstone Quarry No. 2. The purpose of the inspection was to determine the required financial warranty <br /> based on current site conditions, including recent reclamation work on site. The inspection shall also determine <br /> what conditions have been met under the stipulated settlement agreement between the Division and Rudolph <br /> Fontanari dated November 19, 2021. <br /> The Western Slope Flagstone Quarry No. 2 is a 112c permitted operation that includes 138.75 permitted acres. <br /> The site is located approximately three miles northeast of Palisade, CO and can be accessed from I-70 or Rapid <br /> Creek Road. Amy Yeldell and Clayton Wein of the Division conducted the inspection. Rudy Fontanari was <br /> present during the inspection. <br /> Only the areas that relate to the reclamation conducted under the stipulated settlement agreement were <br /> inspected. According to Mr. Fontanari no changes/mining has occurred in the Main Southern Pit for quite some <br /> time. At the Divisions last inspection on January 24, 2022 the majority of regrading had been completed. <br /> However topsoiling and seeding had yet to occur. On April 14, 2022 the Division received notification that the <br /> remaining reclamation activities had been completed. <br /> The North Irrigation Area: <br /> Water was being applied via the remaining risers (Risers 910-12) located to the south of the permit boundary. <br /> At this time water had not yet entered into the DRMS permit boundary. However all of the ground upgradient of <br /> the DRMS permit was saturated. During the Division's documentation of this Mr. Fontanari turned off the most <br /> northern of actively irrigating risers (Riser 910). Two other risers (Risers 911 and 12)remained on throughout <br /> the course of the inspection. <br /> Based on the Operators delineation of the permit boundary it appears that one riser(Riser 99)remains located <br /> within the DRMS permit boundary. See photo one. This includes an additional 236 LF of ditching and 185 LF <br /> of irrigation pipeline that is yet to be reclaimed. <br /> As noted on the previous report the irrigation pipeline has been completely removed and the majority of the <br /> pipeline has been properly graded(excluding riser 99). Removed pipe remains on the properly located just <br /> outside of the DRMS permit boundary line. A small pile of dirt/rocks remains, see photo two. This area is <br /> approximately 20' x 20' x 4'. <br /> All of the other graded areas have been disked and seed was applied. Soil over the pipeline is extremely rocky. <br /> The Division would like to note that the drill rows are going with the grade which will likely facilitate excessive <br /> erosion and runoff. The Division notified the Operator of this problem after receiving photos of completed <br /> reclamation on April 14, 2022. The Division allowed for an additional month prior to the inspection however <br /> site conditions have yet to be corrected, see photo three. Revegetation failure rates in these areas can be <br /> expected to be higher than areas where proper techniques were applied. <br /> In the seeded areas some germination was observed. Of the plants observed nearly half was Cheatgrass,with <br /> some evidence of Russian thistle emerging. The other germinated plants,primarily grasses,were likely <br /> desirable but too early in the season to determine species. See photo four. <br /> Northern Mining Area: <br /> The Division also inspected the Northern Mining Area. This area is comprised of the North West Pit,the North <br /> East Pit and the two remaining stockpiles located just to the south of the pits. <br /> Page 2 of 11 <br />