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(Page 2) MINE ID # OR PROSPECTING ID # M-1977-129 INSPECTION DATE 5-11-2004 INSPECTOR'S INITIALS SSS This was a routine monitoring inspection conducted as part of DMG's ongoing monitoring program for permitted mines in Colorado. The inspection was also conducted jointlywith Bruce Fowler and Dave Trappet, U. S. BLM Grand Junction Office, on the portion of the mine site where the surface was purchased by the Bureau of Reclamation and is now being administered by the BLM. The BLM administered portion of this site is in final reclamation and BLM personnel requested this inspection to ascertain what additional reclamation requirements DMG might have for that parcel. The mine identification sign and affected area boundary markers are in place and in compliance with Rule 3.1.12. No significant erosional features were noted on the affected areas of the site. The facilities area appears more or less the same as it did during the 1999 inspection. These facilities are maintained clean and free of clutter. Topsoil and overburden stripping and dewatering trench excavation has begun in Stage 2 -Part B. During permitting, it was noted that a well permit would be in place for this stage, prior to exposing groundwater. The lower Gunnison River drainage was designated as "over-appropriated" in late January 2004. In addition to a well permit, all excavations within 100 feet of the lower Gunnison River, and all new excavations in the lower Gunnison River drainage that expose groundwater must now secure a water augmentation plan for the consumptive use of that water. WBM is encouraged to verify, with the State Engineer's Office, that adequate water rights are in place for all their applicable current and future excavations that expose groundwater. Backfilling of the highwalls in Stage 2 - Part A continues on the east end of the north highwall. Overburden is being hauled from the terrace Stages (Stage E) to the backfill location in Stage 2 -Part A. A small Portion of Stage E and all of Stage F are all that remains to be excavated in the Terrace area. Most of the previous terrace stages have been backfilled and graded, but vegetation establishment on these Stages was not inspected during this inspection. The pit is nearly mined out with a portion of the southeast corner and some material across the pit floor remaining. Some stockpiled material also remains on the central floor of the pit. To transport the Stage 2 - Part B gravel to the processing facilities, W BM will keep Stage 2 - Part A dewatered and transport through that pit. This is not a recommended practice, as it delays reclamation, leaves a large area exposed for numerous years that will require costly weed control, and may contribute to dust problems. The BLM administered portion of the site encompasses primarily Stage X, Stage Y and Stage 1. This portion of the site was originally owned by an adjacent ranch owner who used the area for cattle feeding. That parcel was sold to the federal government in 2001 with their intent to breach the Stage 1 pond to create habitat for endangered fish species along the lower Gunnison River. The pond breach project has been completed with two armored channels having been constructed between the Stage 1 pond and the Gunnison River. The upstream channel was placed where a slump had previously occurred on the east side of the pond embankment, subsequently removing the need for the operator to repair this slump feature. The base of channel was approximately 1 foot above the river level during this inspection. The lower channel was constructed on the north side of the pond embankment and was just starting to allow water to pass through it. The channel features are not an approved feature of this permit. However, the operator is aware that the permit must be revised to include them. These unpermitted channel features are noted as a problem on page 5 of this report, with corrective actions and a correction date specified. The majority of the revegetation efforts on Stages X, Y and 1 have not been successful. W ith little exception, the vegetation on the reclaimed areas that lie more than 4-5 feet above water level (in the Stage 1 pond) consist of annual species. A brief inspection of adjacent non-mined lands indicates that the vegetation there also consists primarily of the same weedy species. Cattle grazing certainly plays a part in the poor revegetation success and the poor state of the vegetation on the land adjacent to the mine site. Stage X was seeded initially in November 1978 using 300 pounds of oats (to help spread the seed) and 200 pounds of 20-15-5 fertilizer. Initial reports indicated good germination, but then drought conditions dried up the vegetation. In 1979 the permit was revised to allow Stages X, Y and 1 to sit fallow until the pond in Stage 1 was complete and refilled with water. The regrading and topsoil replacement was completed and the pond was full in the spring of 1996. Some seedling planting was completed in fall 1996 and spring 1997, including a wetland area in the southeast corner of the pond. This area was monitored in fall 1997 and reported to have approximately 50 percent survival at that time. The applicable portions of Stage Y (areas not designated for cattle feeding) and all but the east portion (slump area) of Stage 1 were initially seeded in the fall of 1999.