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(Page 2) <br />MINE ID # OR PROSPECTING ID # M-1992-017 <br />INSPECTION DATE 3/9/2006 <br />OBSERVATIONS <br />INSPECTOR'S INITIALS SSS <br />This was a routine monitoring inspection conducted as part of DMG's ongoing monitoring program for permitted mines in <br />Colorado. Additionally, Montrose County had requested an inspection of this site to discuss plans to swap the mining sequence <br />for Phase 1 b and 1c. Danna Knox was present during the inspection, representing the BLM. <br />No significant erosional features were noted on the affected areas of the site. Grading of backfilled pit perimeter should always <br />maintain a grade to direct stormwater flow toward fhe pit. <br />The mine identification sign and affected area boundary markers are in place and in compliance with Rule 3.1.12. <br />No significant infestations of noxious or other problematic weeds were noted on site during this inspection. <br />The pit was currently inactive for excavation. Some trucks were loading topsoil from stockpiles and placing it to backfill slopes <br />of Phase 1 a. No processing facilities were on site at the time of inspection. <br />The south and east slopes of Phase 1a have been backfilled but not final graded. Montrose County proposes to move the <br />topsoil/overburden stockpile from it's current location atop the highwall at the north end of Phase !a and place it within the <br />excavated Phase 1a pit. Much of the material is being used to backfill the highwalls and to cover the pit floor. The excess is to <br />be stockpiled approximately 200 feet behind the advancing north highwall for future reclamation. Though theydo not appearto <br />be above the 25 acres of heavy disturbance and 25 acres of moderate disturbance, Montrose County proposes to minimize <br />their reclamation liability by using a strip mining technique moving northward through Phase 1c and conducting <br />contemporaneous strip reclamation in the future. DMG agrees with, and highly recommends this plan. <br />Swapping the sequence of mining for Phases 1b and 1c appears to make sense and does not appear to create any <br />complications for mining or reclamation. DMG spoke with BLM regarding this swap. BLM indicated that they did not see a <br />problem with the swap as long as Montrose County realizes that the current BLM lease does not all BLM land within the DMG <br />permit area. Montrose County must ensure that the acreage within Phase 1c, proposed to be mined each year, has an active <br />lease/free use permit with BLM prior to initiating excavation of that acreage. The phase change for this site will need to be <br />documented in future annual reports submitted to DMG. <br />Montrose County was instructed to take measures in the future to salvage and stockpile topsoil separately from the overburden <br />and to stabilize topsoil stockpiles that will be in place for more than one growing season. <br />Responses to this inspection report should be directed to Steve Shuey at the Division of Minerals and Geology, Grand Junction <br />Field Office, 101 South 3rd Street, Room 301, Grand Junction, Colorado 81501, phone number 970-243-6368. <br />I & E ContactAddress <br />NAME Norm David <br />OPERATOR Montrose County <br />STREET 949 North Second <br />CITY/STATE/ZIP Montrose. Colorado 81401 <br />cc: <br />^ CE <br />^ BL Lynn Lewis -Montrose Office <br />^ FS <br />^ HW <br />^ HMWMD (CH) <br />^ SE <br />^ WQCD (CH) <br />^ OTHER <br />