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Page 2) <br />MINE ID # OR PROSPECTING ID #: M-ig77-~S~ <br />INSPECTION DATE: i7iam7 INSPECTORS INITIALS: TAC <br />OBSERVATIONS <br />1. A site inspection of the Greeley Pit was conducted as part of the Division's on-going 4-year inspection program. Mr. <br />Hiner was contacted prior to the site inspection but was not able to attend. <br />2. The Greeley Pit is permitted for a total of 170 acres. Mining will occur in 3 phases via wet mining methods, with de- <br />watering as necessary. The operator has posted a financial warranty of $47,000 in the form of a Certificate of <br />Deposit. The affected land will be reclaimed as a private park with four (4) ponds totalling approximately 95 acres. <br />The post-mining land uses are private recreation and wildlife habitat. <br />3. The Greeley Pit is an active pit with extraction occurring in the southeast corner of Phase 1. All of Phase 2 has been <br />mined and partially reclaimed to a large lake. All but the southeast corner of Phase 1 has been mined and partially <br />reclaimed to a large lake. Prior to the inspection, Mr. Hiner indicated the lakes average 12' in depth. The southeast <br />corner of Phase 1 includes a large topsoil stockpile, approximately 24 loads of non-roadable mining equipment, an <br />extraction area, a small lake of approximately 7-8 acres, and the plant, processing, and stockpile area. The operator <br />has also established an equipment boneyard with various mining and costruction equipment in the Phase 1 area <br />southwest of the Office. This inspector estimates approximately 12 loads of non-roadable mining equipment in this <br />area. Although the existing lake configurations in the Phase 1 & 2 areas are not consistent with the lake <br />configurations as shown in the Reclamation Plan Map, Exhibit F from 1977, the lakes do appear to occur within the <br />boundaries of the permit area. There was no evidence of mining disturbance or exposure of groundwater in the Phase <br />3 area. All mining disturbances appear to be within the permit boundary and the operator has maintained a setback <br />of at least SO' from the Cache La Poudre River as specified in the mine plan. <br />4. The lake shorelines have not yet been graded to a 3:1 slope, topsoiled, and revegetated as specified in the <br />reclamation plan. This inspector estimates the shoreline slopes to vary from 0.5:1 to 1:1. There was no evidence of <br />weed control or revegetation on any of the affected lands. Also, there was a significant number of Saltcedar <br />(Tamarix) shrubs along the lake shorelines. This is considered to be problem as Saltcedar is included in the State <br />Noxious Weed List. The Division requests that the operator submit a weed control plan for this species and begin <br />control measures as soon as practicable. Attached is a list of contacts who may provide assistance in developing such <br />a plan. See page 4 for corrective actions. <br />5. There was no entrance sign or evidence of permit boundary or affected land boundary markers as required by Rule <br />3.1.12. Attached is a copy of Rule 3.1.12. The Division considers this matter to be a problem and requests that the <br />operator bring the site into compliance with this rule. Please see page 4 for corrective actions. <br />6. This inspector estimates there are 40 acres of exposed groundwater at the Greeley Pit. From conversations with Mr. <br />Hiner, it is unclear whether any of this acreage is "grandfathered" from Senate Bill 120 and the requirements of the <br />State Engineer for evaporative loss. Review of the permit file does not indicate that any acreage of exposed <br />groundwater has been declared exempt from evaporative loss requirements, or that the operator has secured a <br />temporary substitute supply plan or augmentation plan from Office of the State Engineer (OSE) for all non-exempt <br />areas. The Division considers this matter to be a problem and requests that the operator clarify the status of <br />compliance with OSE requirements for all acreage of exposed groundwater. Please see page 4 for corrective actions. <br />7. The Division is in the process of evaluating the reclamation cost for all affected lands at the Greeley Pit. Reclamation <br />tasks that will be considered in this evaluation include: 1) finish grading of lake shoreline slopes to a 3:1 slope, 2) <br />respreading of all stockpiled topsoil, 3) revegetation of all shoreline and surrounding areas above the expected high <br />water mark, 4) removal of all non-roadable mining equipment, and S) mobilization & demobilization of reclamation <br />equipment. The Division welcomes any input from the operator in the determination of these costs. <br />