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• (Page 2) • MINE ID # OR PROSPECTING ID # M-2000-158 INSPECTION DATE 02/13/01 INSPECTOR'S INITIALS ESC This was a pre-operation inspection of the S & H Gravel Mine conducted by Erica Crosby and Tom Schreiner of the Colorado Division of Minerals and Geology. Steve O'Srain (consultant), Rocky Hoffschneider (operator), and Tom Sharkey (landowner) were present during the inspection. Weather conditions on site were clear and cool. Platte Sand & Gravel, LLC. filed a complete 112 Construction Materials Application with the Division on December 27, 2000. The applicant proposes to mine sand and gravel from a 1,239.4- acre permit area. According to the applicant, 832.49 acres will be mined, and 394.16 acres will be undisturbed. The Division's decision due date is set for March 27, 2001. The mine site is located approximately 2.5 miles northwest of the Town of Platteville in Weld County, Colorado. The site is immediately east of the South Platte River. Surface and mineral ownership is privately owned by Thomas Sharkey and Krystal Hoffschneider. The site is currently used for cattle ranching and farming. Structures within 200 feet of the affected area were identified on the Pre-Mining and Mining Plan Map (Exhibit C) and during the site inspection. Such structures include houses, fences, water wells, oil wells, oil tanks & associated structures, gas collection lines, internal ditches, the western Mutual Ditch, roads, stockponds and powerlines. The applicant has proposed a number of mining off set distances from various structures, such as the oil wells, pipelines, ditches, two houses, powerlines, roads and water wells. The Division is currently reviewing the proposed off set mining distances, and concerns will be noted in the Division's adequacy review letter. It should be noted that internal ditches and water wells within the permit area and within 600 feet of the affected land were not included on the Exhibits. Very little topsoil was noted on portions of the site. The applicant will salvage existing topsoil and respread the material to a depth of 6." Topsoil stockpile areas will need to depicted on the map, and placed safely away from the River. The proposed postmining land use is developed recreation and wildlife habitat. A majority of the site is within the 100-year flood plain. The applicant proposes a mining setback distance from the South Platte River ranging from 150 feet to 300 feet. A majority of the Cottonwood trees and other riparian vegetation will not be affected by the mining activity. The Division is currently reviewing the mining off set distances from the South Platte River and any comments will be noted in the Division's adequacy letter. Once mining offset distances area approved, the operator will need to field locate the off set distances with markers. Tom Sharkey noted that his shares of the Western Mutual Ditch water are slated for agriculture. Therefore, the applicant may need to purchase water to meet the needs of the operation, including evaporative loss. The specifics of the water consumption will need to be further addressed in the permit application.