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PERMIT#: M 1988022 <br /> INSPECTOR'S INITIALS: RAR <br /> INSPECTION DATE:23 June 2022 <br /> OBSERVATIONS <br /> This was an inspection of the Smith Ranch Pit, Division of Reclamation, Mining and Safety (DRMS or Division) <br /> permit number M1988011, operated by Lincoln County. I, Robin Reilley, with DRMS conducted the inspection. <br /> Ty Stogsdill and Judd Karvig with Lincoln County accompanied me throughout the inspection. The site was not <br /> active during the time of inspection. A 2017 surety release inspection was conducted however, surety release <br /> was not achieved at that time. The Smith Ranch Pit No 2 is accessed from Lincoln Co Rd T and is located <br /> approximately 2 miles east of State Hwy 71 (about 7 miles west of Karval). This is a 110c sand and gravel mine. <br /> According to the file the site has not operated since about 2005, and was not operating at the time of the <br /> inspection. <br /> Availability of Records: May 2022 annual fees have been paid. The previous inspection was on December <br /> 2017. A control plan (TR3) was adopted in 2010. The approved post-mine land use is rangeland. There are no <br /> open infractions. <br /> Backfilling and Grading: The approval of TR02 in 2009 allowed the slopes to be as steep as 3H:1V. The <br /> regraded slopes appeared to be adequate in that regard. As such no more backfilling or grading is required. <br /> Excess Spoil and Dev. Waste: No overburden piles were observed. <br /> Financial Warranty: This pit is permitted by Lincoln County, therefore no bond is required by the Division. <br /> Fish and Wildlife: No impact to fish or wildlife was observed. <br /> Hydrologic Balance: No standing water was observed in the pit and no exposed groundwater was observed. <br /> Gen. Compliance with Mine Plan: No issues with mine plan compliance were observed, with the exception of <br /> the dirth of grasses and forbs for meeting the rangeland land use. <br /> Off-site Damage: The operation was confined to the permit boundary. <br /> Processing Waste: No processing waste was observed. <br /> Roads: The haul and access roads are not included in this 110c permit boundary and are almost <br /> indistinguishable from the undisturbed surrounding area. <br /> Reclamation Success: Reclamation grading has been completed for the pit. <br /> Revegetation: The vegetation in the disturbed area is a mix of what appeared to be primarily two species of <br /> annual weeds primarily comprised of kosha. Noxious weeds were not observed at the time of inspection. Two <br /> bare spots exits on the pit floor. Some warm season grasses were observed in the disturbed area. Throughout <br /> the site there appears to be a minimum of desirable vegetation established. The DRMS suggests further <br /> reclamation activities to establish desirable species. Previous inspections have suggested submitting a <br /> Technical Revision (TR) to change the approved seed mix to include grasses that are more drought tolerant. <br /> This seed mix could include warm and cool season grasses and perennial flowering species beneficial to <br /> grazing. The DRMS recommends mowing the weeds before seed heads form and drill seeding in the autumn <br /> to take advantage of any late season moisture. The operator suggested allowing goats to graze down the <br /> weeds. This would require good management to prevent overgrazing, compaction of soil and the addition of <br /> excessive nitrogen. <br />