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~ (Page 21 • MINE ID # OR PROSPECTING ID # M-97-058 INSPECTION DATE 05/9/01 INSPECTOR'S INITIALS ESC This was a pre-operation inspection of the amendment area of the Baseline Resource Site conducted by Erica Crosby of the Division of Minerals ~ Geology. Jeff Gregg of Hall Irwin Corporation and Danna Ortiz of Rocky Mountain Consultants, Inc. were present during the inspection. The operator proposes a 40-acre expansion area immediately west of the existing operation. The proposed site is currently used as pastureland and has never been farmed. The quality and quantity of vegetation on the site is poor. weeds such as white top, thistle and annuals dominate the area. Little topsoil was noted on site, but all available topsoil will be salvaged and used for reclamation. Structures on and within 200 feet of the affected land include Weld County Road 23 5f, Quest telephone lines and poles, Xcel Energy electric line, 1 gas well & associated pipeline, water line and Randy Kirkpatrick's Residence. The operator has agreed to provide the Division agreements prior to disturbance closer than 200 feet of the structures. A drainage Swale runs through the property, but no water rights are associated with the Swale. The Swale is owned by the landowner, HIBE LLC, allowing legal right of entry to mine and reclaim the site. Two abandoned wells were also noted on the site owned by HIBE LLC that contain no water rights. Issues surrounding the Swale and abandoned wells were included in the Division's May 10, 2001 adequacy review letter. The active oil well was inspected. The operator stated that the light use road would be relocated over the pipeline route during mining and left permanent £or final reclamation. Additional information regarding relocation of the road will need to be included in the application. The active portion of the site was also inspected. The crushing and screening facilities are all portable structures. Three silt ponds are used to recycle water to the processing facility. After settling, water in the last pond was relatively clear. Mining is actively taking place in Phase 2. The pit depth is approximately 30 feet. A slurry wall surrounds the Phase 2 area allowing the pit to be mined dry. No leaking or ponding of water was observed in the pit. Topsoil and overburden material was actively being stripped from the Phase 3 area during the inspection and stockpiled for future use. The operator should be reminded that topsoil piles must be seeded with a temporary seed mixture if they will be in place for longer than one calendar year. The Phase 3 area is also lined with a slurry wall to accommodate dry mining. The "Ski Lake" pit has been completely mined and reclaimed. The pit is not lined and the source of the lake water is groundwater. The reclaimed pit is used as a private water ski lake by the landowner. According to the operator, pit slopes were graded 8H:1V to reduce the rebound wave action caused by the boat. The landowner was water skiing during the time of the inspection. Pit slopes were vegetated two years ago, and a number of perennial grass species were noted. Trees were also planted and are drip irrigated. The NPDES discharge point was inspected, and no water was being discharged during the inspection. The Division also inspected the location of an EPA violation issued a number of years ago regarding mining impacts to a wetland. Apparently during construction of the slurry wall for Phases 2 and 3, a wetland was disturbed in two locations. The violation remains outstanding, but recent conversations with EPA state that Hall-Irwin is in compliance with the mitigation requirements.