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MINE ID # OR PROSPECTING ID #: M-1979-075 <br />INSPECTION DATE: 1-11-06 <br />OBSERVATIONS <br />INSPECTOR'S INITIALS GRM <br />This inspection was conducted as part of the normal monitoring program established by the Colorado Division of <br />Minerals and Geology. The Chambers Pit is the original pit for the Old Castle gravel complex east of Rifle <br />Colorado. Brent Kerr from Old Castle SW was present for the inspection. <br />The mine identification sign and affected area boundary markers are in place and in compliance with Rule 3.1.12. <br />No gravel extraction or mining activities have taken place within the permitted area for some time. The operator has <br />made several attempts to vegetate the site. However, the landowner has failed to prevent the use of the area by <br />livestock, which has had a negative impact on reclamation efforts. Grasses and other shrubs have been gazed down <br />to within a'/~ an inch of the soil, which has stunted growth and seed production. <br />Slopes are 3:1 or better. Despite the lack of vegetative cover, the slopes are stable and show little sign of erosion or <br />stormwater impacts. There is no evidence of sedimentation or offsite damage. <br />At this point, the inspector recommends that the operator submit a full release request for this site in late March. <br />Staff will revisit the site to observe new growth and assess the site. If vegetation does not appear to be doing well <br />Old Castle SW should expect staff to deny the request. By Rule, there is no other choice. But, staffwould support <br />Old Castle SW if it appealed the Denial Decision and asked the Board to review and overturn the initial decision. <br />It maybe in Old Castle's best interest to ask the landowner to refrain from putting any live stock in the area until <br />mid-April so that possibly the Division can release the site without going through these additional steps. <br />Any release request must conform to Rule 4.17. <br />The reclamation cost estimate was not recalculated as part of this inspection. The current estimate was recalculated <br />less than three years ago and the operation is in compliance with the approved mine plan and reclamation plan. <br />Therefore, the current financial warranty is believed to be adequate to reclaim the site per the approved reclamation <br />plan. <br />Responses to this inspection report should be directed to Russ Means at the Division of Minerals and Geology, <br />Grand Junction Field Office, 101 South 3'd Street, Room 301, Grand Junction, Colorado 81501, phone no. 970-241- <br />1117. <br />I & E Contact Address <br />cc: <br />^ CE <br />NAME: Brent Kerr ^ BL <br />OPERATOR: Old Castle SW ^ FS <br />STREET: P.O. Box 3609 ^ HW <br />CITY/STATE/ZIP: Grand Junction, CO 81502 ^ HMWMD (CH) <br />^ WQCD (CH) <br />^ OTHER <br />