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• (Page 2) • <br /> 14INE ID # OR PROSPECTING ID # M-74-052 <br /> INSPECTION DATE 11/30/99 INSPECTOR'S INITIALS TAS <br /> `USERVATIONS <br /> 1. A site inspection was made of the Varra Pit No. 1 as part of the Division's 4-Year <br /> Inspection Program. Present during the inspection was Bradford Janes of Varra Companies, <br /> Inc. <br /> 2 . The Varra Pit No. 1 is permitted for 374 acres. The operator has posted a financial <br /> warranty in the amount of $139, 500. The post-mining land use is private recreation. Based <br /> on the disturbances noted during the inspection, the existing financial warranty appears <br /> adequate to complete remaining reclamation responsibilities. <br /> 3 . With the exception of the Amendment No. 2 area (not yet disturbed) , a majority of the <br /> acreage permitted for the Varra Pit No. 1 has been mined and partially reclaimed. Mr. Janes <br /> indicated that future mining may take place in the Amendment No. 1 area to remove reserves <br /> not mined during previous mining. All disturbances noted were within the permit boundary. <br /> A number of the mined cells within the boundaries of Pit No. 1 have been reclaimed to lakes. <br /> Shorelines have been graded to reclamation contours, topsoiled, and seeded. Many of these <br /> areas do not yet contain a revegetation cover acceptable for financial warranty release. A <br /> variety of weeds (wild mustard, kochia, and russian thistle) are the dominant vegetation on <br /> these slopes. Also, there is minor erosion in the southwest corner of the northwest lake. <br /> Approximately 50 linear feet of bank slope will need to be stabilized and reseeded prior to <br /> financial warranty release. <br /> 4. There is a minor concern with structural demolition. A number of structures will need to <br /> be removed prior to approval of financial warranty release in order to comply with the post- <br /> mining land use and approved reclamation plan. These include the southwest lake water intake <br /> structure, the northwest lake dewatering pipe, non-roadable mining equipment at the boneyard <br /> area, and fuel tanks and shop buildings near the site entrance. Review of the permit file <br /> does not confirm that these structures should remain during final reclamation. As an <br /> alternative to their removal prior to financial warranty release, the operator may revise the <br /> reclamation plan and reclamation plan maps to demonstrate the use of these various structures <br /> and the need for them to remain as part of final reclamation of the Varra Pit No. 1 . <br /> 5 . An entrance sign and permit area markers have been posted in accordance with the <br /> requirements of Rule 3 .1 .12 . All disturbances appeared to be within the permit area. <br /> I & E Contact Address <br /> ❑ CE <br /> NAME Christopher L. Varra ❑ BL <br /> OPERATOR Varra Companies, Inc. ❑ FS <br /> STREET 12910 Weld County Road 13 ❑ HW <br /> CITY/STATE/ZIP Longmont, CO 80504 ❑ HMWMD (CH) <br /> ❑ SE <br /> cc: Carl Mount, DMG ❑ WQCD (CH) <br />