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MINE ID if OR PROSPECTING ID k M-84-025 INSPECTION DATE 9 1/ 0/99 (Page 21 INSPECTOR'S INITIALS RCO This inspection was performed by the Division as part of its monitoring of 110 construction mater Is permits and as a pre- operation inspection of the proposed expansion in the conversion application CN-01. The opera or was contacted about the inspection but was unable to be present for it. The required permit ID sign was observed posted on the fence near the entrance gate. A pro lem with lack of permit boundary markers was noted during the last inspection, and was to be corrected by timely pl cement of the needed markers. The required boundary markers were noted in the correct locations during this inspecti n. This problem is now abated. (The same permit ID sign may continue to be used after the approval of the 112 conve ion application.) The existing pit Iwhich is in the proposed 112 expansion) has been partly backsloped on the southeast wall. The grading consists of about 180 LF of 2.5:1 to 3:1 slope. A John Deere wheel loader owned by CDOT is in the east part of the pit. There is a bit of standing water on the pit floor in this location. There is no surface flow of wa er into the pit, but it is probably attributable to percolation from the running irrigation ditch on the unmined land 100-20 feet to the east of the pit. A larger amount of impounded water is present in the northeast corner of the existing pit, wit a surface area of about 1!4 acre. The larger "pond" may be collected runoff water. As part of satisfying the requirement of the 112 conversion, the right to expose groundwater or impound surface water will have to be demonstated. IFor que ions on those subjects, please contact the Division of Water Resources office in Alamosa.) There were no notable changes in the existing 110 permit area. The large stockpiles of product pre still present. General observations in the proposed 112 permit area include the above-mentioned sloping of th pit wall and the water in the pit. The waste asphalt pile is still present in the middle of the pit. The western side of the pi still contains numerous steel guardrail sections, treated timbers and waste wood, and various pieces of debris. The south es[ corner of the area, contains the channel of Mill Creek and a thinly wooded hillside west of that, none of which will b affected. The hillside contains scattered but healthy blue grama, pinyon pine and juniper. The creek location contains m ny mature cottonwood trees. Nearly the entire 40-acre parcel is fenced. Older sections of the fence, along the west, north a d east, are four strand barbed wire. The new section along the south is smooth wire 1"New Zealand" style) fence. he fences will remain throughout the operation, will not be damaged by the operation, and will act to delineate the ne permit boundary. The surface of the unmined portions of the expanded area which are planned to be mined is gen y sloping to the north. the vegetation is typical of dry rangeland to slightly subirrigated pasture. Vegetation noted o the pasture primarily consisted of blue grama and rabbitbrush, with minor amounts of purslane, rush, Louisiana sage, a ter, and yarrow on the drier areas, and willow and wild iris on the wetter areas. There is a small isolated patch of thistles a ong the ditch, covering an area of about 200 square feet. Being aState-listed noxious weed, the operator/landowner is equired to control this plant. Though the patch is small, its location along the ditch gives it the real potential to quickly pread to other areas of the site and beyond. The operator must treat and monitor this weed during the time prior to the xcavation of this area, then be careful to not export or respread the seed-contaminated topsoil during reclamation. This feature will be a topic that the Division will monitor in the future. IFor weed control assistance, please contact the S guache County weed inspector, Brad Jones, or the local office of the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service.) As mentioned above, a small ditch passes through the site from south to north and was flow ng at the time of the inspection. It may be that this ditch or drainageway is the "Swale" described in the 112 applicati n. Its flow dissipates toward the north center of the area, with no surface flow leaving the site. This ditch enters the si from under the south perimeter fence at a point about 100 feet west of the southeast corner of the fence. If, in fact, thi is the Swale, then the relocation of the ephemeral drainageway may be more complicated than simply building a contr I berm along the east fenceline. The site is accessible to livestock. The operator should consider ensuring that highwalls are not ha#ardous, and that areas being revegetated are protected from grazing, either through cross fencing or deferment.