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(Page 21 • MINE ID # OR PROSPECTING ID # M-1983-142 INSPECTION DATE 12/19/00 INSPECTOR'S INITIALS RCO OBSERVATIONS This inspection was performed by the Division as part of its monitoring of Construction Materials 112 permits. The operator 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 permit ID sign was posted on the entrance gate. The onsite access road extends across the entire southern edge of the permit area. It is paved and includes a portable scale and scalehouse. Upon reclamation, the scale and scalehouse will be removed, but the paved road will remain for the landowner's use. There are no changes to the affected areas since the last inspection. Only the southeast corner has been mined, and still remains largely unreclaimed since it is still used as a stockpiling area for material from the adjoining pit (Ford Pit, permit no. M-1996-0911. The floor of the pad smoothly joins the floor of the neighboring pit. The north edge of the pad is bermed. No material appears to have rolled down the slope north of this affected area. The pad surface consists of the mancos deposit which underlies the gravel deposit. Reclamation here will include ripping the surface to loosen compaction, topsoil replacement and revegetation. A small amount of mining-related debris is present. It appears to contain only inert materials, and may be backfilled in a dry location or removed from the site. The western portion of this affected area slopes down to the west below the stockpile pad. It has been graded to about 3:1 and has been topsoiled. Seeding has been recently carried out but has not been successful. The slope is mostly vegetated with thinly scattered halogeton and salsola Irussian this[lel~ The west edge of the stockpile pad is not bermed at the top of the slope to protect the slope from receiving runoff from the pad. The slope exhibits some minor gullying, even from the top, which points to a need for better runoff control. To protect the earthwork on the slope, the topsoil from erosion, and sedimentation to surface water, the following should be implemented: berm the west edge of this upper pad to direct pad runoff south to the haul road, possibly routing it down a riprapped borrow ditch, dress the slope erosion, treat for annual weeds, and seed the slope to the reclamation seed mix. This and all slopes in reclamation should continue to be monitored and maintained until released. IA smaller level pad exists below the previously discussed slope, which is currently barren, but not utilized for stockpiling. It will be easy to reclaim.) The south edge of this upper pad contains a highwall. It was left nearly vertical, but the operator has backfilled some material against it for temporary stability. Final reclamation will involve reducing the slope gradient to 3:1 or less, topsoil replacement and revegetation. The operator should ensure that runoff from the unmined land (higher ground) to the south does not damage reclaimed slope. A problem has been noted on page one under the tonic of "general mine plan compliance" since a Dart of the finger ridge north of the main Dad area has been mined, though this ridoe is outside of the approved affected area. The mining disturbance is inside the permitted area boundarv, so this tonic is not noted as a possible violation, but as a problem. The area was accessed via the floor of the adioininp Ford Pit which is permitted to the same operator The operator cut the fence along the boundarv line separating the two ~i~s, and proceeded to excavate a couple hind red yards of material. The operator must correct this problem through one of the following methods: either commence final reclamation, and carry out its completion in a timely manner on the disturbance in this area• or submit a technical revision to the plan if further mining is desired here. See the last page for the correction date. Another onsite observation was made which merits the operator's attention, though it is not noted as a problem at this time. Along portions of both edges of the paved access road were numerous small patches of knpaweed, a noxious weed. These appear to be infestations which are not older than 2 or 3 years, and have not yet spread to the farmlands immediately north and south of this road corridor. The operator should contact a qualified weed specialist and develop a weed control plan. The landowner might be consulted about this too. Portions of this road corridor are outside the permit area, so may not fall under the jurisdiction of this office. However, the infestation may spread to land within the permitted area, which could become a problem and/or increase the required bond amount. A copy of this report will be sent to the county weed officer, whose name appears below, and who may be consulted about the knapweed. The bond amount has not been reviewed in several years. The costs will be recalculated and figured sent to the operator