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<br />MINE ID # OR PROSP_°O^mING ID # M-80-121 <br />INSPECTION DATE October 20. 1999 <br />INSPECTOR'S INITIALS TAS <br />1. A site inspection was made of the Pierce Pit as part of the Division's 4-year inspection <br />program. Present during the inspection was Mr. Greg Nelson of the Weld County Public Works <br />Department. The Pierce Pit is located 2 miles east and 2 miles north of Pierce, Colorado. <br />2. The Pierce Pit is permitted for a disturbance of 56.5 acres. The mining plan specifies <br />that excavation will occur to a maximum depth of 25-30 feet, both within and adjacent to Lone <br />Tree Creek. Excavations will also be kept at or above the ground water table so as to not <br />expose ground water. Reclaimed slopes will be regraded to a maximum configuration of 2:1 in <br />and near the creek. Grassed slopes will be regraded to a maximum configuration of 6:1. <br />Although there is mininal topsoil available for reclamation, the operator will strive to <br />provide a seedbed cover of at least of least 8-10 inches. Revegetation will include <br />reestablishment of cottonwoods and willows near the creek and application of a rangeland <br />grass mix on upland areas. Rangeland grasses to be seeded include sideoats grama, blue <br />grama, switchgrass, and little bluestem. Sand bluestem and prairie sandreed are also <br />recommended for incorporation into the seed mix. The post-mining land uses are conservation <br />and wildlife habitat. <br />3. An entrance sign and permit boundary markers were posted as required by Rule 3.1.12. All <br />mining disturbances were found to be within the permit boundary. A majority of the site has <br />already been mined and is in varying stages of reclamation. Mr. Nelson indicated that there <br />are still 10-12 acres to be mined in the western quarter of the permit area. <br />4. There was evidence of rill erosion on reclaimed slopes along the east and west boundaries <br />of the site. There was also evidence of gully erosion at the Lone Tree Creek inlet near the <br />north permit boundary. Even though the soils at the Pierce Pit appear to be highly erodible, <br />the operator will need to minimize rill and gully erosion within the permit area prior to <br />release of reclamation responsibility. Reclaimed slopes should be adequately revegetated~and <br />as stable as the surrounding agricutural land, if possible. This inspector recommended to <br />Mr. Nelson that the operator consider finish grading these slopes to a more gentle <br />configuration wherever possible (4 :1, 5:1, 6:1, etc.) and then reseeding with the approved <br />seed mix. Prior to seeding, a light application of soil amendments such as compost, manure, <br />or corn stalks can be worked into the soil to enhance the viability of the seedbed for <br />revegetation. Also, the Division has reviewed the approved reclamation seed mix and suggests <br />that the applicant consider revising the seed mix to the following species and rates: <br />Sveciae $ of Mix ~ Rate <br />Sidoats Grama 25 3. 0 <br />Sand Bluestem 20 3. 0 <br />Prairie sandreed 15 1. 0 <br />Indian Ricegrass 15 1. 5 <br />**Intermediate Wheatgrass 15 2. 0 <br />Blue Grama 5 0. 5 <br />Little Bluestem 5 0. 5 <br /> 100 11. 5 <br />,n~ _ <br />* seed rate in lbslAcre P.L.S., rate should be doubled for broadcast seeding <br />"* standard crested wheatgrass may be substituted <br />