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(Page 21 MINE ID # OR PROSPECTING ID # M-2003-003 INSPECTION DATE 2/24/03 INSPECTOR'S INITIALS RCO OBSERVATIONS This pre-operation inspection was performed by the Division as part of its review of a 112c Construction Materials permit application. The operator's representative was contacted about the inspection, and a time was arranged to meet at the site. The operator's representatives named on page one were present throughout the inspection. The required Notice was posted at the locked gate to the site. The gate is located at the only entrance to the site that will be used for access to this operation. The complete details of the mining and reclamation plans as presented in the application were not reviewed during this inspection, but most discussion onsite involved the mining and reclamation plans. The site will be mined in phases, with reclamation of affected areas following the mining. The site consists of a gently rolling finger mesa top on the west, and a steeply sloping gulch crossing the center of the site from north to south, and another mesa top on the east. The west part is cleared of native brushy vegetation, and was put into dry pasture sometime in the past. The gulch is 80 to 100 feet deep, still contains its native vegetation, and exhibits little soil but much gravelly and cobbly material. The east mesa top appears to be mainly brush or rangeland. Vegetation in the pasture was difficult to identify. Deer and elk have grazed much of the tops off the perennial grasses, leaving several species of annual weeds to predominate (mainly including redstem filaree, cheat grass, and a mustard speciesl• Thore is evidence of past Canada thistle here, but it has apparently been successfully killed. Native vegetation in the gulch and on the slopes includes tall sage, pinyon pine, juniper, serviceberry, oak brush, yucca, blue grams, and smooth brome. The woody debris that is produced as the site is stripped will be piled and burned, or buried onsite. Besides evidence of deer and elk use, the site also exhibits signs of past inhabitation by prairie dogs, but the burrows appear to be abandoned. The topsoil layer at this site is variable. The mesa top contains deep topsoil, whereas the gulch slopes contain much less soil, and much more rocky material on the surface. A test pit about 10 feet deep in the northwestern portion of the site exhibited soil through its entire depth, with no gravel showing. Another test pit at the crest of the gulch showed a thin soil layer and gravel throughout its depth. Another test pit lower in the gulch was not observed but was described to contain even more gravel extending to its bottom. Topsoil will be stripped prior to excavation of gravel, and set aside for later reclamation. The pit will be started from a bench on the west side of the gulch, about 30 feet below the mesa top. Most activities will be kept out of sight of the county road, with excavation, crushing and stockpiling restricted to the pit floor. All bench activities will be within an earthen stormwater control berm, to protect the gulch from sediment transport and stormwater flows. The pit will be mined such that the slopes will be continually maintained at their final 3:1 gradient, which will eliminate much of the needed reclamation earthwork and allow the bond amount to less than if the highwalls are kept steep. Fuel and tube may be stored onsite during periods of activity, but only with adequate secondary containment (lined and bermed areal. Water needs will be supplied from offsite sources, and stored onsite in large steel tanks. The operator must ensure that such onsite use of the water is allowed. The bottom of the gulch will not be affected by mining, roadways, sedimentation, stripping, stockpiling or other permit- related disturbances. The operator stated that small water catchments may be developed for wildlife use. The operator must ensure that surface water retention is in conformance with the rights to that water or within the limits albowable for such retention. All application review comments will be covered by letter to be mailed separately to the operator There were no additional items observed or discussed. No problems exist at this time, and no written response is required. All general responses or questions about this inspection report should be directed to this inspector at the Division's Durango Field Office. The address is: Division of Minerals and Geology, 701 Camino del Rio, Room 125, Durango, Colorado 81301; telephone 970/247-5193, or fax 970/247-5104.