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PERMIT#:M-1996-076 <br /> INSPECTOR'S INITIALS:ACY <br /> INSPECTION DATE:May 19,2022 <br /> The North West Pit has been mostly backfilled with slopes contoured to 31-1: 1V or less, see photo five. The <br /> Operator has stated that they intend to come back to the north west pit and continue to mine it in the future <br /> therefore they did not completely reclaim the southern walls of the pit as future mining will progress to the <br /> south, see photo six. The southwest corner of the pit is sloped at a 1H: 1V, is 15 ft. tall and approximately 50 <br /> linear feet. Progressing to the east along the southern highwall and backup to the north adjacent to the road, the <br /> slope transitions to near vertical. The vertical highwall is approximately 10 ft. tall on average and 200 linear <br /> feet. The areas with remaining sloping have had no topsoil or seed applied, see photos seven through nine. <br /> The majority of the northern extent of the northwest pit has been properly graded to a 31-1: 1V or less. Furrows <br /> from contour ripping and/or discking of topsoil have been conducted in multiple directions. In some areas <br /> furrows are with the grade like on the northern irrigation areas, which will help convey stormwater and will <br /> likely result in increased erosion, see photos eight and nine. Proper reclamation techniques are to disk <br /> perpendicular to the grade to help absorb stormwater and decrease the erosion potential. Overall the seeding <br /> furrows of the northwest pit were spotty. It is unclear if all of the affected lands received topsoil and seed, see <br /> photo ten. Revegetation failure rates in these areas can be expected to be higher than areas where proper <br /> techniques were applied. <br /> Overall germination of the reclaimed areas of the northwest pit is very limited, photos five through eleven. The <br /> majority of vegetation on site is Kochia, Russian Thistle, Halogeton and Cheatgrass. Establishment of what <br /> appears to be desirable species is limited. As stated before it is early in the season, so there is a chance that more <br /> could germinate in the following weeks. <br /> All of the northern topsoil stockpile material has been utilized, primarily for backfill. This area has also been <br /> reclaimed in a similar manner. The only remaining overburden/topsoil stockpile in the northern mining area is <br /> the small pile located just to the south of the imported railroad ballast material on the southeast side of the road. <br /> Small berms around the northeast pit may also provide material,however they are insufficient in volume to <br /> complete remaining reclamation of the northern mine area. <br /> Adjacent to the North West Pit,the North Eastern Pit remains in the same condition as previous inspections,no <br /> reclamation work has been conducted in the North Eastern Pit Area. The pit is currently dry, see photos twelve <br /> and thirteen. Based on current site conditions,mined/imported material stockpiles would be utilized for backfill <br /> material then covered with overburden/topsoil material available on site. <br /> Summary: <br /> Regarding completion of required reclamation tasks. The Operators approved reclamation plan calls for all <br /> reclaimed areas to received fertilizer and mulching. The Operator was asked if these measures were employed <br /> during reclamation and it was stated that only topsoil and seeding was conducted. <br /> The stipulated settlement agreement item la is unclear if both of the northern pits were required to be reclaimed <br /> or if only the northwest pit was required. Given that no work was done to the north east pit the full cost to <br /> reclaim this pit will be bonded for. Of the reclamation work completed on the North West pit grading of <br /> highwalls is incomplete as mentioned above. Topsoiling and discking soils of the affected lands appears to be <br /> poorly done. Furrows were placed haphazardly and evidence of seedbed preparation is not evident on all <br /> affected lands. Similarly though seed was applied it was not as prescribed in the approved reclamation plan as <br /> fertilizer and mulch was not applied, nor is evidence of seeding apparent on all of the affected lands. Additional <br /> touch up seeding in this area should be anticipated. <br /> Page 3 of 11 <br />