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<br />(Page 21 <br /> <br />MINE ID J! OR PROSPECTING ID J1 M-1991-136 <br />INSPECTION DATE 3/14/01 INSPECTOR'S INITIALS RCO <br />OBSERVATIONS <br />This inspection was performed by the Division as a result of the submittal of an amendment to this 112c permit. The <br />operator was contacted about the inspection and a time weas arranged to meet at the site. The operator named on page <br />one was present throughout the inspection. <br />The permit ID sign was noted at the entrance to the site. The operator has also posted the required notice for the <br />amendment (AM-021. <br />The amendment involves the change of post-mining land use from a lake to an industrial site. The pit has been mined out, <br />but continues to operate as a processing facility (crushing, washing, concrete and asphalt batchingl. The site also houses <br />the company offices, equipment shop and storage yard. The pit is dewatered by pump. There are a couple vertical <br />concrete retaining walls supporting hopper or asphalt facilities above the pit floor. These facilities and structures are <br />intended to remain on the site. Ramps providing equipment access into the pit will also remain. <br />The areas which must still be reclaimed under the new plan will consist of the pit side slopes, and perhaps the southern <br />outslope (facing the rived. The slopes are not yet at the final gradient, exhibit some erosion, do not contain topsoil, and <br />still need revegetation. It appears that periodic spraying of the unpaved perimeter roads has created a salty condition which <br />has impeded revegetation. These areas might require a revised seed mix, which can be included as part of the current <br />amendment. Salt- or alkali-tolerant species, and drought tolerant species should be emphasized in the revised mix. <br />Suggestions could include: inland saltgrass, alkali sacaton, fourwing saltbush and rabbitbrush. <br />Drainage control will have to implemented along the tops of the inslopes, especially on the north side of the pit. This side <br />receives runoff from the equipment yard, and that wall is Bullied deeper than the other walls. Sediment does not leave the <br />site, but the slopes are not stable and do not meet the reclaimed condition of the existing or proposed reclamation plans. <br />The lower slopes on the far southern edge of the permit (consisting of riverbanks not disturbed by mining) exhibit a healthy <br />stand of knapweed. This infestation may not have been caused or introduced by the operator, but it is within the permit <br />area, on land owned by the operator, and poses the risk of spreading to offsite areas. The operator agreed that the weed <br />should be controlled. Normal procedure is for the Division to note a problem if an infestation exists and there is no weed <br />control plan in the file. Since there is an amendment currently being reviewed, there is an opportunity to include an <br />adequate plan to be implemented as part of the amendment. This will be discussed in separate correspondence. This is <br />not a problem at this time. <br />The amendment will allow the required bond amount to be reduced dramatically. The current bond is S147,000, and is <br />more than adequate. New figures will be generated as part of the amendment, and sent to the operator for review. <br />There were no problems noted during this inspection. For all questions or responses to this report, please contact this <br />inspector at the following address or phone: 701 Camino del Rio, Room 125, Durango CO 81301; tel 970/247-5193 or <br />fax 970/247-5104. <br />I & E Contact Address <br />NAME Rick Johnson <br />OPERATOR United Companies of Mesa Countv <br />STREET P.0. Box 3609 <br />CITY/STATE/ZIP Grand Junction CO 81502 <br />cc: Tom Gillis, DMG <br />^ CE <br />^ BL <br />^ FS <br />^ HW <br />^ HMWMD ICH) <br />^ SE <br />^ WOCD ICH) <br />^ OTHER <br />