INSPEC30331

• Permit No: M1984025
• IBM Index Class Name: Inspection
• Doc Date: 1/30/2004
• Doc Name: Inspection Report
• From: DMG
• To: So. Way Co.
• Inspection Date: 1/27/2004
• Media Type: D
• Archive: No

(Page 2)
MINE ID # OR PROSPECTING ID # M-1984-025
INSPECTION DATE 1/27/04
INSPECTOR'S INITIALS RCO
This inspection was performed by the Division as part of its monitoring of Construction Materials 112c permits, and to ensure
that the noxious weeds onsite continue to be controlled. The operator was contacted about the inspection, but was no available
to be present. The operator was not present and there was no activity onsite during the inspection. Part of the site was
covered by about 1"- 2" of snow, but that did not prevent this inspection from being carried out.
The site is identified by the required permit ID sign posted at the entrance gate. The gate was open and the site was
accessible, The perimeter fence adequately marks the boundaries. The site is a 712 permit covering approximately an entire
40-acre area (per Conversion CN-01, in 1999).
The approved mining plan is not phased, and the bond amount is $55,081. The amount of disturbance is still far below the
amount that the bond covers. The bond amount is felt to be adequate to perform all reclamation needed.
As has been noted previously, the primary noxious weed that is being monitored is black henbane (Hyoscyamus nrger). It was
found on the site, and an inspection problem required that the operator begin controlling it. A noxious weed control plan
specifically addressing the treatment of this weed was made part of the permit, via Technical Revision TR-01, in 2001.
A map showing all areas where it was noted was made during the 10/30/00 inspection (performed in response to the first report
of this weed), and the map was attached to that inspection report. All areas where the weed presently was observed were also
carefully mapped during this inspection. (The new map is attached to this inspection report.) Comparison of the two maps
shows that while some formerly infested areas now do not exhibit the weed, several new areas are becoming infested. The is
Of particular interest was the old `Pines" stockpile, which is the largest pile onsite, a short distance inside the entrance gate. It
was previously seen to be the area of heaviest henbane infestation. This pile now is observed to contain hardly any henbane at
all, which may indicate close monitoring and effective control being carried out there. However, there are other changes to this
pile, one of which might indicate against effective weed control. The top has been thoroughly affected by recent bulldozing, and
the slope surfaces all around the pile exhibit newly "deposited" material, pushed off of the top. This might indicate that all
previously observed infestations on the pile were only covered by new material, raising the question of the efficacy of the weed
control. Anew sign is posted on the pile: "Property of Colo Dept of Transportation," plus there is evidence of recent removal of
material from the east side of the pile, which raises the question of how much weed seed contaminated material has been
removed and spread along roadways in the area. There is no problem noted in this report about this, but the operator must
ensure that weed control is definitely occurring; that contaminated material is not leaving the site: and that all excavation,
reclamation. and weed control activities appear in the next annual report.
The old pit in the south half of the site has not been changed since the last inspection. There is a new portion of the site being
excavated now: approximately 1.5 acres have been added to the pit's north side (which has been sketched on the attached
weed map). Portions of the new highwall have been graded to 3:1 slopes. This new mining activity may have occurred after
the last annual report, but it must appear on the next annual report.
No further items were observed during the inspection. Responses to this inspection report should be directed to the Division of
Minerals and Geology, 701 Camino del Rio, Room 125, Durango, Colorado 81301, Attn: Bob Oswald; phone no.970-247-5193.
1 & E Contact Address
NAME Rock 1. Southway
OPERATOR So. Wav Co.
STREET 117 White Pine Dr,
CITY/STATE2IP Alamosa, CO 81101
cc: Harry Posey, DMG
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