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III. COMMENTS -COMPLIANCE <br />Below are comments on the inspection. The comments include discussion of observations made <br />during the inspection. Comments also describe any enforcement actions taken during the inspection <br />and the facts or evidence supporting the enforcement action. <br />This was a bond release inspection conducted by Kent Gorham and David Berry of the <br />Colorado Division of Minerals and Geology(CDMG). The purpose of this inspection was a <br />Phase I bond release inspection at the former NW-1 ventilation shaft of the Golden Eagle <br />Mine. An application for a Phase I bond release was received by the Division on February 7, <br />2005. An objection to the bond release was received on February 17, 2005 from the <br />landowners, Jim and Ann Tatum. The Tatum's also requested an informal conference on the <br />bond release in accordance with Rule 3.03.2(4). On March 14, 2005 the Division called the <br />bond release application complete and scheduled an inspection and informal conference for <br />April 12, 2005. Due to inclement weather, the inspection and informal conference was <br />postponed and rescheduled for May 12, 2005. In both cases, public notice of the informal <br />conference was published at least two weeks prior to the conference. <br />Weather on this day was excellent and ground conditions were dry. In attendance, in <br />addition to Kent Gorham and David Berry of CDMG, were Jim and Ann Tatum, ranch <br />manager Ricky, Bob Montgomery representing Basin Resources, inc., and Linda McMillan <br />attorney from the law offices of Shaw and Quigg representing Basin Resources, Inc. The <br />inspection was scheduled for 10 am and all parties were present <br />Signs and Markers <br />The entry sign at the gate to the NW-1 shaft area identified Basin Resources as the <br />permittee with a Highway 12 address. Since the mine is in permanent cessation, this sign <br />should be updated.to included the name, address, and phone number of the CDMG in <br />accordance with Rule 4.30.2(3). <br />Backfilling and Gradin <br />The reclaimed area consists of about 1.2 acres located in the NE1/4 of Section 19, T33S, <br />R67W. A former ventilation shaft and associated facilities were located. on this land during <br />active operation of the Golden Eagle Mine. The Tatums own the land surface where the <br />ventilation facility was located. The area is a moderately sloping ,east-facing hillside. In <br />December of 2004, following approval of Technical Revision No. 55 (TR-55), the operator <br />filled the ventilation shaft with grout and other inert materials. Following the filling of the <br />shaft, the area was backfilled and graded to approximate original contour. Topsoiling, <br />seeding, and mulching has also been completed, although none of those activities are the <br />subject of this Phase I bond release request and inspection. <br />Inspection on this day verified that the site had been returned to the approved post-mining <br />topography and approximated the original contours of the surrounding area. Drainage <br />control consists generally of sheet flow off the reclaimed area itself due to the relatively small <br />area of reclamation. One clean water diversion ditch remains on the slope above the <br />reclaimed area which is appropriate for this stage of the reclamation liability period. Edges of <br />the site were blended well into the adjacent undisturbed area with no obvious humps, scarps, <br />or abutments. No slash, brush, or debris was noted on or around the reclaimed area. No <br />springs, seeps, or slumps were observed. <br />3 <br />