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(Page 2) MINE ID # OR PROSPECTING ID # M-94-011 INSPHCTION DATE 12-18-97 INSPECTOR' S INITIALSs,S t$_ This was a complete inspection of the West find Gravel Pit conducted to verify and record the conditions existing on the area of expansion proposed in the 112c conversion application currently under review by the Division. This inspection ie also conducted to investigate possible off-site mining-related disturbance identified during review of the above mentioned conversion application. The Feed Lot Unit of the proposed expansion is dominated by a vegetative stand of near 100 percent Russian thistle, with minor patches of grass (species unknown) and yellow sweetclover. The Northwest Unit is dominated by gray rabbitbrush and Russian thistle. The North Central Unit is dominated by a pinion juniper stand. No conditions contrary to the information provided in the conversion application were found. Using landmarks and permit boundary markers, it was verified the stockpiled materials on the west end of the pit are partially outside the currently approved permit boundary. The stockpiled topsoil/overburden in the northeast corner of the operation are also partially outside the currently approved permit boundary. The currently active wash plant settling pond, and the central pond, which appears to have been filled up by wash plant sediment, are both located outside the permit boundary as well. The operator has been noticed of the possible violation and is scheduled for hearing at the January meeting of the Mined Land Reclamation Board. The operator currently has a 112c conversion application under Division review which incorporates all of the identified off- site disturbance into the mine permit boundary. The operator indicated that the irrigation canal above the site breached earlier this year and flowed enormous amounts of water through the drainage at the west end of the current permit area. This flow cut through the impoundment dam for the stockpond above the site and through the old settling pond and its impoundment. Inspection of the sediment profile, in the old settling pond, exposed 6-8 feet deep by the erosion gully created by the canal flow, revealed the sediment in the pond was uniform sandy material with no layers of organic matter or odd sized stones which would be present if this sediment were naturally deposited. The sandy texture also gradually became silty material as the profile progressed toward the pond outlet. This is also the pattern of settling common in wash plant settling ponds. The material eroded from the settling pond appears to have deposited in the Doing Ditch. The operator indicated that the ditch contained the sediment flow and that it did not make it to the San Miguel River. The operator was not authorized, by the Division, to use the pond for sediment settling. If properly permitted, a settling pond would not have been allowed to be constructed in a drainage where it is subject to erosion during large storm events, etc. The operator will need to clean out the irrigation ditch which appears to have been significantly filled with sediment, and will need to submit plans to the Division which address stabilization of the eroded channel to prevent further erosion of this drainage. The scales and office are not located within the permit boundaries. However, the operator indicated that the scales and office are used to weigh hay, livestock trucks, etc. from the landowners ranching operation and therefore are not required to be permitted or maintained within the permit boundary.