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(Page 2) <br />MINE ID # OR PROSPECTING ID # M-1983-148 <br />INSPECTION DATE 9/25/07 INSPECTOR'S INITIALS WHE <br />OBSERVATIONS <br />This inspection was conducted as part of the Division's routine monitoring of permitted sites. The Neal <br />Pit is approved for 39.4 acres affected lands. Affected lands will be reclaimed to support Rangeland <br />post-mining land use. The permit status is intermittently active. Mining and reclamation activities <br />appeared dormant during the inspection. <br />Current and future mining activities appeared limited to the southern approximate 19 acres portion of the <br />permit area. Reclamation backfilling, grading and topsoil replacement appeared to have been completed <br />for the northern 20 acre portion of the permit area. The final landform appears to be a mesa with <br />undisturbed native slopes leading up to the flat topped reclaimed lands. Permit documents indicate that <br />prior to mining the available topsoil was of limited quantity and marginal quality. Soils appeared shallow <br />and rocky for reclaimed areas. Vegetative cover for reclaimed areas appeared sufficient to control <br />erosion but of poor quality for the selected post-mining land use. Vegetative cover for reclaimed areas <br />included Russian thistle, Rubber rabbitbrush, Fourwing saltbush, Curly cup gumweed, Halogeten and <br />Downy brome. Permit documents indicate that recommendations for revegetation from the Soil <br />Conservation Service (SCS) was to allow affected lands to revegetate naturally without the benefit of <br />seeding reclamation species. Such a plan, which relies on an evolving vegetative cover with natural <br />succession towards a climax community, appears to require a period of time greater than that provided <br />under Construction Materials Rule 3.1.3. Therefore, the Division recommends the Operator accelerate <br />the establishment of an appropriate vegetative cover, as required for the selected post-mining land use <br />and the Act and Rules, through the application of a reclamation seed mix. The Division has enclosed an <br />example of a seed mix, prepared on CIRCES Cost Estimating Software, which includes Indian ricegrass, <br />Crested wheatgrass, Yellow sweet clover, Rubber rabbitbrush, and Fourwing saltbush, which appears <br />appropriate for the difficult conditions at this specific site. Alternatively, the Operator is encouraged to <br />contact the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) and request a recommendation for a seed <br />mix appropriate for site conditions. Regardless, the Operator is obligated to establish a protective <br />vegetative cover, appropriate for the selected post-mining land use in accordance with the Act and Rules. <br />The site appeared stable and well managed. No problems or possible violations were observed. <br />Response to this report should be directed to the Division's office in Durango at 701 Camino del Rio, <br />Room 125, Durango, CO 81301, to the attention of Wally Erickson, phone 970-247-5469. <br />I & E Contact Address <br />NAME Brian Wilson <br />OPERATOR Montrose County <br />STREET P.O. Box 1289 <br />CITY/STATE/ZIP Montrose. CO 81402 <br />cc: Tony Waldron, DRMS <br />^ CE <br />^ BL <br />^ FS <br />^ HW <br />^ HMWMD (CH) <br />^ SE <br />^ WOCD (CH) <br />^ OTHER <br />