2006-07-11_REVISION - M1981309 (2)

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(Page 2) MINE ID # OR PROSPECTING ID # M-1981-309 INSPECTION DATE 06/28/2006 INSPECTOR'S INITIALS DEG This inspection of Permit Number M-1981-309 was conducted by Deb E. G6nima of the DMG as a result of a succession of operator and subsequent bond calculation request made by Mason King. No county representative was present during this inspection. The pit is located on the north side of County Road 6, about 6 miles east of Cope, and currently consists of almost 10 acres, of which approximately 3 acres are currently disturbed. The mine entrance identification sign was legible, but the mine name and permit number were faded and should be made more clearly visible per Rule 3.1.12(1)(c) (see photo 1). Overall, it appears that approximately 70% of the site has not been disturbed recently. Given the small footprint of disturbance it appeared that all current disturbance has occurred inside the approved permit boundaries, and seemed to be focused at the western-central portion of the permit area (see photo 2). The western and southern fencelines and the Arickaree River may have constituted boundary lines (see photos 3-4). There was a stake at what may be the northeastern corner of the permit boundary (see photo 5). However, since this site lacked permit boundary markers, this inspector was unable to verify that the operator is mining within the approved permit boundaries. Therefore, per Rule 3.1.12(2) the operator must clearly mark the boundaries of the affected area with monuments or other markers that are clearly visible and adequate to delineate such boundaries (see Problem No.1 and the associated corrective action noted on page 3 of this report). All disturbance occurred to the west of the (currently dry) Arickaree River. However, the southeast and western-central portions of the permit area had exposed groundwater (see photos 6-7) in two separate areas. It seems clear that the water being held onsite is uncovered groundwater, as there is no opportunity for over-land flow onto the site from the adjacent river, other than runoff, and the surrounding area is currently exceptionally dry (see photo 8 of the adjacent dry Arickaree River bed). Throughout these areas there was abundant mature wetland vegetation -including cottonwoods, willows, sedges, and rushes (see photos 9-10). However, this inspector found no evidence on record of an approved substitute water supply plan, or endorsement from the Office of State Engineer for these ponds. Additionally, the approved reclamation plan does not describe the end-state of the site as water storage, or allow for a pond to remain on site (see Problem Ng.2 and the associated corrective action noted on page 3 of this report). Additional items of note include: • There was approximately 140 cubic yards of material stockpiled on site (see photo 11). • Portions of the disturbed area (mainly at the south-western portion of the site) would need to be re-graded to 4h:1v slopes per the approved reclamation plan on file (see photo 12). • There was a 50 foot by 50 foot pad of partially soil-covered asphalt approximately 50 feet north of the southern fenceline, and about midway between the mine entrance and the Arickaree River bed. The reclamation plan calls for the site to be reclaimed to rangeland, and there were cattle grazing on site at the time of the inspection. As a final note for future reference, this site is correctly positioned in the DMG online GIS. Responses to this inspection report should be directed to Deb E. GBnima at the Division of Minerals and Geology, Denver Office, 1313 Sherman Street, Room 215, Denver, Colorado 80203, phone number 303-866-4179. I & E Contact Address NAME OPERATOR STREET CITY/STATE/ZIP Mr. Larry Chamo -Road Foreman Washington County Road District #3 P.O. Box 32 Anton. CO 80801 cc: ^ CE ^ BL ^ FS ^ HW ^ HMWMD (CH) X SE ^ WOCD (CH) ^ OTHER cc: Carl Mount, DMG via a-mail