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(Page 21 MINE ID 11 OR PROSPECTING ID 1! M-92-054 INSPECTION DATE 1 /10/00 INSPECTOR'S INITIALS RCO This inspection was performed by the Division as part of its monitoring of 110 Construction Materials permits. This is a "reclamation-only" permit. The operator was contacted about the inspection but was not present for it. The operator od this site was found to be mining without a permit in 1992, and ordered by the Board to obtain a "reclamation-only" permit. The permit application was approved in 1992, and upon submittal of an adequate bond by the operator, a permit was issued in 1995. Under the provisions of the permit no mining was to occur, and reclamation activities were to be commenced. Under Rule 3.1.3, the reclamation phase of an operation must be "carried to completion with all reasonable diligence" and be completed within five years. The site has: not changed significantly during the time since the last inspection by the Division (10/51951• There are still several small stockpiles of cobbly pitrun, partially graded sideslopes, gravelly pit floor, stockpiled topsoil, and incomplete revegetation. The previously noted fuel tank, steel shed and steel welded pipe are still present. There is no mining-related equipment stored in the pit area, but numerous pieces of agricultural equipment and irrigation materials. There are no stock feeding pens in the pit floor nor fences surrounding the site to exclude livestock. The approved reclamation plan calls for slope grading, topsoil spreading, stock pens on the floor, and revegetation seeding on the slopes. These activities are either only partially completed or not yet begun. Due to the length of time that has passed since the permit was issued, during which reclamation has not, apparently, been carried out in a timely manner, the following inspection topics are being noted as problems: 1. Topsoil ITSI: The topsoil has not yet been respread on reclaimed surfaces, and it has been allowed to become weedy in the stockpiles. The operator must treat the weeds and apply grass seed to the topsoil, either on the topsoil in the stockpile or after it has been respread. This must be carried out during the 2000 construction season. 2. Reclamation plan completion (RS): The reclamation plan has not been pursued diligently, and the operator is now in the fifth year of the reclamation phase las calculated from the date of permit issuance, not from the date of permit application approvall. The operator must commence all remaining reclamation tasks during the 2000 construction season. The operator was informed in 1995 that a permit ID sign and permit boundary markers were required to be installed, pursuant to Rule 3.1.12. These have not, apparently, been installed or maintained at the site. Due to this condition, the following is still noted as a problem: 3. Signs and markers ISMI: The site has no ID sign or permit boundary markers, though the operator has been made aware of the need to place and maintain such. The operator must install these items by the date shown on the last page of this report. There was an observed infestation of a species of knapweed and of a species of thistle, both of which are included on the State noxious weed list. Noxious weeds are required to be controlled. Allowing a recognized infestation to continue uncontrolled will lead to spread of these species. On permitted mine sites, it causes the reclamation to become more difficult and time consuming, and leads to higher reclamation bond amounts. For these reasons, the following has been noted as a problem: 4. Revegetation IRVI: There is an infestation of noxious weeds within the permit boundaries. The operator must submit an adequate weed control plan for the site, and commit to the prompt and continued treatment of these weeds until they are controlled. A qualified weed control authority should be consulted in the preparation of this plan. For each of these listed problems, the corrective actions will include a written follow up response from the operator, which must be received at this office by certain dates. Please see the last page of this report for the correction dates.