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• (Page 21 • MINE ID # OR PROSPECTING ID # M-77-020 INSPECTION DATE 6-17-97 INSPECTOR'S INITIALS SSS OBSERVATIONS This was a routine complete monitoring inspection of the Pit No. 1 gravel operation located just on the northwest outskirts of the Town of Delta. The operation is permitted to disturb twenty acres for sand and gravel extraction, resulting in a 1 6.6 acre lake. The operation is permitted in two phases, phase one is to be reclaimed as phase two mining begins. The two tasks then take place simultaneously. The current operation has phase two nearly mined out while phase one reclamation has not taken place, except for some grading in short stretches of pond embankment. The lake is currently full of water and will need to be pumped down to facilitate reclamation of the near vertical pit slopes and to facilitate construction of the island. Due to the lack of concurrent reclamation and increased reclamation costs, the reclamation cost estimate for Pit No. 1 will be recalculated based on current site conditions and approved reclamation plans. The operation will be bonded for the actual cost of reclamation if, in the case of permit revocation and bond forfeiture, the state were to put the reclamation work out for competitive bid. Review and recalculation of the required bond for reclamation of this operation will take place over the next Tew months. A detailed estimate of the recalculated cost, based on the approved mining and reclamation plans and conditions observed during the inspection, will be forthcoming. The recalculation will include costs for dewatering the pit, since this will be necessary to regrade the pit slopes and construct the island from overburden material. Upon receipt of the recalculated estimate, Delta sand and gravel wwill have 60 days within which to submit the required financial warranty. Delta Sand and Gravel does have the opportunity, between now and when the financial warranty is due, to reduce the reclamation liability at the site by conducting as much of the required reclamation as is possible. The operator needs to perform weed control measures on the affected areas of the operation. A serious infestation of russian knapweed has become established on the overburden stockpiles and other affected areas of the site. Rule 3.1 .10161 states that weed control shall be employed for all prohibited noxious weed species, and whenever invasion of a reclaimed area by other weed species seriously threatens the continued development of the desired vegetation. Weed control methods shall also be used whenever the inhabitation of the reclaimed area by weeds threatens further spread of serious weed pests to nearby areas. A list of noxious and problem weeds and control techniques for these species can be obtained from the County Extension Service, the County Weed Control District Office, or the local office of the Soil Conservation Service. The approved reclamation plan calls for planting of trees without additional seeding of grasses and fortis for soil stabilization. The majority of the trees to be planted are Russian olive. Colorado has placed a moratorium on this species due to it's aggressive nature along waterways which allows russian olive to replace more desireable native species. Additionally, it would not be recommended to plant trees alone on bare soil. Not only will the slopes be susceptible to erosion, but all disturbed areas will be a prime target for weeds. Please be aware that operations seeking warranty release will not be released if the site has a noxious weed infestation problem. ;vE/.~ ~}/rr>~a~ Sec. I~17~~~ ~~ cJ I & E Contact Address - cc: 566M3dlis, DMG CE //,G/: /~CZc'-II -- (;rand Jc~. NAME Michael Ripp ^ BL OPERATOR Delta Sand and Gravel ^ FS STREET P.O. Box 103 ^ HW CITY/STATE/ZIP Delta. Colorado 61416 ^ HMWMD ICH) ^ SE ^ WOCD ICHI ^ OTHER