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(Page 2) <br />MINE ID # OR PROSPECTING ID # M-1980-143 <br />INSPECTION DATE 3/29/04 INSPECTOR'S INITIALS RCO <br />OBSERVATIONS <br />This inspection was pertormed by the Division as part of its monitoring of Construction Materials 110 permits. The operator <br />was contacted and a time was arranged for the inspection. The operator's representative named on page one was present <br />during the inspection. <br />The permit number for this site is painted at the bottom of the operator's business sign posted at the entrance to the pit. The <br />permit number is fading, and will soon be very difficult to read. Since repainting it will be required soon, the operator should <br />consider preparing and posting a "complete" permit ID sign, with all the required information, as described in Rule 3.1.12. <br />Besides the permit number, this includes the operator's name and the statement that "a permit for this operation has been <br />issued by The Colo Mined Land Reclamation Board." <br />The pit has been partially reclaimed. The western end of the highwall has been sloped, topsoiled and seeded, and might be <br />close to being fully reclaimed. <br />The central portion of the highwall has been sloped also, but not revegetated. It is not clear if the slope is at the 3:1 reclamation <br />gradient in this portion, or if it has been topsoiled. Little vegetation exists on the central portion of the highwall, and some early <br />gully erosion is evident here. Since this is an area that is due for final reclamation, and soil moisture may be optimal for <br />revegetation this season, the operator is urged to establish the 3:1 slope, mend the gullies, replace topsoil to the proper depth, <br />and seed the area according to the approved plan. Two additional items should be considered in stabilizing and revegetating <br />this slope: musk thistle control and a drainage diversion structure to reduce the erosion from upslope runoff. <br />The material being mined is a deep gravel deposit overlain by several feet of clayey overburden. The overburden is separately <br />stripped and sold as a commodity; it is not a reject material retained onsite for use as reclamation backfill. The gravel is mined <br />from below by loader, creating a vertical highwall. The active portion of the highwall is on the north end of the pit, and <br />proceeding northward. Some overburden is temporarily piled on and above the highwall. The topsoil stockpile is in the north <br />end of the permit where no mining has yet occurred. The topsoil pile is adequately vegetated. <br />The pit floor is level and daylights on the south and east. A rough visual berm is along the east side adjoining the county road. <br />There are numerous small piles of various materials, most of which appear to have been generated from offsite sources. This <br />was noted in the Division's 8/30/2000 inspection report as a problem. There is no indication in the file that the Notice, required <br />5/28/04. (If such a Notice was previously submitted to this office, please provide a copy of that former Notice.) To revise the <br />current plan to allow importing such materials, the operator must apply for a Technical Revision. Please see the last page for <br />the corrective action. <br />The permit boundary on the north end is somewhat irregular and would be difficult to see, but the operator has posted at least 6 <br />markers there. Activities in the north end have been limited and have not approached the north boundary too close yet. The <br />operator should ensure that the markers remain in place and perhaps be made more visible if equipment is maneuvering or <br />earthmoving is occurring in the vicinity. <br />One item noted in the north end of the permit especially, but also on the ramp road up to the top and on the central slope, was <br />the presence of musk thistle. New rosettes are scattered around the northern unmined area, and are beginning to affect the <br />west side of the topsoil pile. The presence of musk thistle was noted in the Division inspection of 6/30/2000 as a problem, and <br />the commitment to implement the plan. This plan and commitment must be received by this office by 5/28/04. (If such a plan <br />was previously submitted to this office, please provide a copy of that plan.) Including a weed control plan in the permit must be <br />done through the Technical Revision process. The operator may apply for one technical revision, which may include both the <br />imported materials and the weed plan. Please see the last page for the corrective action. <br />The bond is $8000, and appears to be adequate to reclaim the site. <br />The operator should contact this office to discuss the requirements of the corrective actions, and to discuss applying for a <br />