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(Page 21 MINE ID !1 OR PROSPECTING ID # M-1984-001 INSPECTION DATE 7/01 INSP CTOR'S INITIALS WHE OBSERVATIONS This inspection occurred in response to operator's request to record reclamation progre prior to the August Board meeting. During the August 22, 2001 Board meeting, the Board heard Mr. Schm I's appeal of DMG's May 25, 2001 denial decision of Technical Revision No. 1 (TR-011. The Board decided o continue the issue to the October 17-18, 2001 Board meeting, and directed DMG staff to coordinate an o -site inspection with CDOT personnel, to evaluate potential for adverse impact to Hwy 141 resulting from mi ing and reclamation activities at the Surface Rock Pit. TR-01 is a request to modify the reclamation plan o allow the existing highwall and 60,000 cy stockpile of -3" material to remain as permanent landforms. The Surface Rock Pit is approved for 28 acres total affected area. The phased reclamati plan indicates that approximately 13.5 acres may be affected at any given time. The permit area is divide into two locations, areas A and B. Area A is a quarry type extraction of metamorphic and igneous rock, a proved for 18 acres affected area, approximately 9.5 acres may be affected at any given time. Area B is a granite boulder and backfill material harvesting area, approved for 10 acres affected area, approximately 4 a re5 may be affected at any given time. Permit status is active. DMG holds $27,000 financial warranty. Area A Public access is controlled by locked gate. Much of the loose rock, previou ly observed on the highwall, had been removed. Several benches were observed on portions of the hig wall. Reclamation grading had recently occurred at the base of the highwall. Stockpile of -3" material, to ated at the Phase II area and containing approximately 60,000 cy, appeared well vegetated. Evidence o instability for the stockpile appeared limited to surface erosion from upland drainage crossing the sto pile. Evidence of significant erosion was observed at the west and east ends of the stockpile. The op rotor had recently installed erosion resistant rock lining throughout the drainage ditch running along the top of the eastern portion of the stockpile. The culvert, previously located at the east end of the stockpile, had been removed. Drainage from the rock lined ditch had eroded a gully in the east end of the stockpile. Rules 3.1.5(3) and 3.1.6(3! requires an operator to stabilize affected lands, to control erosion and sediments ion to protect areas outside of the affected land. Reclamation Plan for Area A indicates that the highwall will be stabilized with benches. Be ches are to be 10'- 15' wide and spaced at 20' elevation intervals. Vegetative cover for the benches is not re wired. The existing reclamation plan stipulates that the 60,000 cy stockpile of -3" material must be either re oved from site, or relocated to the base of the highwall and utilized as backfill to attain the approxima a 15% final slope requirement. The 15% final slope requirement extends from the base of the highwall to he 25' buffer zone bordering Hwy 141 of the Phase I area. Topsoil or processing fines, approved as a sulfa le growth medium, are to be distributed over affected areas and contoured with 2" creases to reduce runoff nd control erosion. The surface of the affected lands are to be stabilized with an appropriate vegetative co er, which includes transplanting 60-70 pine trees. Affected lands will be reclaimed to support wildlife habit t post mining land use. DMG cannot approve full release of warranties and termination of the permit until t conditions of the approved reclamation plan are satisfied in accordance with the Act and Rules. Technical Revision No. 1 Mining activities have not advanced as originally anticipa ed. The operator submitted TR-01 to modify the reclamation plan to address reclamation of the existing sit Specifically, the operator desired to leave the 60,000 cy stockpile as a permanent landform and leave he highwall at its present configuration. The existing reclamation plan demonstrates the stability of he highwall at a configuration different from current conditions. DMG records indicate that the 60,00 cy stockpile was constructed in 1987. Since that time, DMG has not observed evidence of slumping settling or slope movement for the stockpile. The stockpile appears stable, except for the surface eros on resulting from concentrated upland drainage crossing the stockpile. However, the stockpile was constr cted on a natural 60% slope (1.67H:1 V), and the stockpile is located adjacent to and upslope from Hwy 141 ~ Due to the steep