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(Page 2) .MINE ID # OR PROSPECTING ID # M-91-079 INSPECTION DINE 01/23/98 INSPECTOR'S INITIALS RCO This inspection was performed by the Division as part of its monitoring of 112 permits. The operator was contacted about the inspection, and a time was arranged to jointly inspect the site. This inspector met the operator's representative named on page one at the operator's office prior ~.o proceeding to the site. The operator was present throughout the inspection. The site is .identified by the required permit ID sign posted at the entrance to the site. The boundaries of the affected area are adequately marked by fencelines on the west and north sides, and bv_ the Colorado River on the south and east. The north permit boundary is not visible from the permit area, being situated on top of a bluff above the area being mined. The affected :area extends north to the fenceline which is south of the railroad tracks, and extends south to within 100 feet of the river. There will be no mining outside of the marked affected area. There was no activity at the time of the inspection, and the only equipment present was a scraper. There is an area o£ several acres in the northwest corner of the affected area which is designated for processing. It was bare and level but no equipment was present. Mining is occurring in t:he southwest part of the permit. Deep overburden is stripped prior to mining the gravel. Topsoil is stockpiled on the south side o£ the permit area, and overburden is stockpiled on the eastern part of the permit area. The overburden will later be used as backfill around the perimeter of the pit. While the pit is mined it is dewatered. Pumped water is discharged at an approved location. The pump is electric and is powered by overhead lines which are mostly owned by the utility company. The pit will be allowed to fill with water after mining is finished, and the banks will be suitably sloped and reclaimed as vegetated pond banks. The pit is now fairly shallow, but •deep enough to have some water impounded. The operation is presently approved for phased mining, but the operator stated that he wishes to modify that. The reasons for modifying the plan to allow greater disturbance includes the fact that there is such a substantial depth of overburden. He stated that the method of mining and the reclamation specifications would not change. When the operator wants to apply for this change, please contact this office. It may constitute an amendment, but will surely affect the bond amount. The pit expands toward the north. There were two distinct areas which showed the areas being prepared to to excavated by stripping topsoil and overburden. Much of the overburden is currently being placed in the northeast corner of the permit. It is a significant volume of material, and will presumably grow as the affected area expands. woody vegetation is piled in the center of the area, and will gradually be disposed of by firewood cutters and by burning onsite~. The operator has recently placed topsoil along the south central part o£ the permit, stockpiling it adjacent to the 100-foot setback from the river. Tracks indicate that it was placed by scra:oer, but the operator should ensure that the topsoil is protected from future disturbance, by seeding it to grass and avoiding driving vehicles over it. There is a $73,380 bond posted for this operation. This Division will recalculate the reclamation costs, based on the currently approved plan and amount of disturbance, and forward the figures to the operator for review. The operator should ensure that an updated