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i (Page 2) MINE ID # OR PROSPECTING ZD # M-91-136 INSPECTION DATE 01/22/98 INSPECTOR'S INITIALS RCO This inspection was performed by the Division as part of its monitoring of 112 permits. The operator was contacted about the inspection, and a time was arranged to meet at the site. This inspector met the operator at the site office at the beginning of the inspection. The operator was present throughout the inspection. The site is identified by a posted permit ID sign at the entrance to the area. The boundaries of the permit are adequately marked by fencelines and roads. There is a financial warranty of $147,000.00 presently posted for this permit. Existing disturbance covers nearly the entire permit area, but much of it consists of activities or conditions which will remain as part of the post-mining land uses. The financial warranty will be recalculated soon, based on the presently approved post-mining land uses and approved reclamation plan. The operator stated during the inspection that there is a need to modify some of the specifics in the plan. These were discussed briefly, and will be referred to below. Until any changes are proposed or approved, however, the conditions at the site and the required financial warranty must be based on the existing approved plan. The pit's material has been totally mined. A large area (several acres) of backfill is present along the north edge of the area, which exists as land along River Road filled to the same grade as the pre-existing grade. This area is used for permanent company offices, cement batch plant, and equipment storage. It is level, well drained, and gravel covered. Further backfilling to enlarge this area toward the south will not occur. This area will remain in its present use after the permit is released. The rest of the permit area exists as a pit. It is presently dewatered by a pump which discharges into the approved discharge point outside the southwest corner of the permit. A permanent electric supply location was being installed up on the west berm to power the pump. The pit floor is fairly level, except for the numerous stockpiles and small sumps to collect and convey seepage. There are a couple areas where concrete modular retention structures are in place, supporting raised benches for loading or facilities. These appear to be well maintained. The operator stated that they will remain after reclamation. The operator should verify whether these specific structures are included in the approved reclamation plan. If they are not yet included, but should be (so their removal is not to be bonded or required) please ensure that this detail is part of any changes to be proposed in the future. In addition to the stockpiles and sumps in the pit, there is processing occurring too. An asphalt batch plant is located in the southeast corner, an earth-filled material dumping point is located on the west edge, and hoppers and conveyors are set up in the northwest corner to feed the concrete batch plant up on the west end of the bench. The stockpiles and processing activity now only involves material from an adjoining pit (M-95-036). Sideslopes of the pit are mostly graded to the post-mining 3:1 slopes, mainly on the west, south and east sides. The north side, adjoining the bench, is graded to approximately a 2:1 slope. Very little reclamation vegetation was observed on any of the slope surfaces. The issue of revegetation not being performed in a timely manner or followed up diligently was discussed. The topic of "revegetation" is noted as a problem on page one, and corrective action shown on the last page of this report. The operator should ensure that all slope gradients are created 'to match the approved plan, that adequate topsoil is spread over the slopes, and that revegetation is carried out according to the plan. The corrective action for this problem will be to either commence revegetation activity on the