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• (Page 21 • <br />MINE ID # OR PROSPECTING ID # M-91-104 <br />INSPECTION DATE 11/13/96 INSPECTOR'S INITIALS RCO <br />OBSERVATIONS <br />This inspection by the Division was performed as part of its monitoring program for 1 10 permits, and as a follow up to an inspection <br />16/20/961 at which offsite disturbance was found. The operator was notified about the inspection but was not present for it. <br />The required ID sign was posted at the entrance. Markers were also observed around part of the perimeter, but were not readily <br />apparent along the new eastern boundary. This permit area was expanded through an amendment in August 1996, which added <br />acreage to the east. Though the lack of easily seen markers along the entire permit boundary is not noted as a problem in this <br />report, the operator is reminded that such markers are required, especially along a recently amended boundary. Please refer to Rule <br />3.1 .1 2. <br />The eastern highwall observed in June 1996 has now been backsloped to a gradient of 2.5:1 to 3:1. Perennial pasture vegetation <br />was seen growing thinly on portions of the slope. The slope has not been topsoiled and seeded, but the grasses were present <br />presumably due to the application of some of the pasture surface onto the slope. If this is a part of the permit which will not be <br />redisturbed, the operator should ensure that the slope gradient approved in the reclamation plan is attained before other final <br />reclamation measures are implemented. <br />Run-on of pasture irrigation water is not occurring, and the related conveyance of that water offsite is not needed, though the <br />earthen ditches still remain. A small amount of seepage is exiting the toe of the eastern highwall slope, and it is conveyed offsite. <br />This apparently is a "new location" for this water to seep, because of the permit being situated below an irrigated pasture and above <br />a stream terrace. It is felt that such seepage would naturally occur at this site, so as long as the operator does not interrupt the <br />integrity of the pasture irrigation structures and maintains the quality of the water leaving the site, there is no problem with the <br />hydrologic balance. <br />The large gravel stockpile, a portion of which was found to be offsite in June 1 996, is now completely onsite. It has been moved <br />to a different location, now being in the northern end of the permit. This area is now filled with stockpiles of gravel. The eastern <br />side of the pile is sloped at the angle of repose, and the toe is at the boundary line Ifencel. This part of the boundary was not <br />amended to allow more area within the permit. This part of the pile could potentially move if it is not stable. The operator must <br />ensure that no material sloughs offsite from this or any other pile. <br />The once small, deep excavation in the center of the pit has been enlarged, with the highwall more to the north and the central floor <br />now continuous with the southern floor. This appears to be closer to the final topography of the pit. Other than a few shallow <br />puddles, possibly due to snow melt on frozen ground, this pit is not impounding water as it once did. <br />The topsoil pile along the west side appears stable and in a protected location. There is a secondary "ramp" which is on the west <br />side of the pit, and in very close proximity to the smaller of the stockpiles of topsoil. The operator should ensure that 11 no <br />degradation of topsoil occurs, 21 the topsoil is moved to a protected location if continued use of the ramp is to occur, and 31 the <br />topsoil stockpile is sloped to a stable configuration and seeded if it is to remain piled more than a year. This is not noted as a <br />problem, but the operator should monitor this because there is potential to lose this resource. As soon as practicable, parts of the <br />permit area which will not be redisturbed should be topsoiled and revegetated. <br />The eastern part of the permit, which once contained the large stockpile of gravel noted in June 1996, still has a gravel surface. <br />The gravel was moved by loader, but that activity did not expose the original surface which is underneath. The operator is urged <br />to remove the remaining gravel and reclaim that area if no further activity is to occur there; or if [he area will be used for loading, <br />processing or future excavation, remove the underlying topsoil soon so as to protect it for future use, and do not allow it to become <br />degraded by continued vehicle travel over it. The topsoil conditions described in this and the preceding paragraph are not noted <br />as problems, but the operator should act to ensure that situations which could potentially degrade topsoil do not develop, so they <br />do not become problems. <br />There were no other items observed, and no problems noted <br />To contact this inspector, please use the following address or phone: <br />Division of Minerals and Geology <br />484 Turner Dr. <br />Bldg. F, Ste. 101 <br />Durango, CO 81301 <br />