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(Page 2) <br />MINE ID # OR PROSPECTING ID #: M-~ g77-'t~ S <br />INSPECTION DATE: i~/4/nv INSPECTOR=S INITIALS: ~AS_ <br />1. A monitoring inspection of Bestway Paving's "Pit No. 1" was conducted as part of the Division's 4-year inspection <br />program. Present during the inspection was Carl Hill. <br />2. All mining has been completed at Pit No. 1 and a significant amount of reclamation work has already been completed. <br />Pit No. 1 was originally permitted for a total of 75 acres. On May 3, 1995 a total of 6.5 acres in the northeast corner <br />of the permit area was released from further reclamation responsibility via SR-001. This 6.5 acre area includes the <br />administration building, maintenance shop, asphalt batch plant, and various other buildings and storage tanks. (A <br />copy of Exhibit C depicting the 6.5 acre release area is attached to this report). The operator is still responsible for <br />reclamation of the remaining 68.5 acres. The reclamation plan specifies measures to reclaim the site to residential <br />and industrial/commercial use. The reclamation plan also includes provisions for creation of a 6 acre groundwater fed <br />lake in the western portion of the permit area. However, the plans for excavation of the lake have not been initiated. <br />The operator has posted a financial warranty of $61,025 in the form of a corporate surety. Based on the existing <br />disturbance it appears that the financial warranty is adequate to complete the terms of the reclamation plan. <br />3. With the exception of a small corner in the northwest corner of the permit area, all pit walls have been successfully <br />regraded to a 3:1 slope, topsoiled, and revegetated In conformance with the reclamation plan. Portions of the pit <br />floor area have also been topsoiled and revegetated. (The approved reclamation plan specifies respreading of topsoil <br />and revegetation of the pit floor area). Other portions of the pit floor have been covered with a layer of fine gravel <br />and also contain product stockpiles. Some non-revegetated areas of the pit floor are currently being used for truck <br />and equipment storage. At the time of inspection, the eastern half of phase 6 and 12 or approximately 12 acres was <br />receiving fill material from an outside source. Mr. Hill explained that this area had previously been topsoiled and <br />revegetated. Also, there is a small pond, approximately 0.2 acres in size, with groundwater that was exposed after <br />December 31, 1980. There is no evidence of a temporary substitute supply plan as would be required by the Office of <br />the State Engineer for this evaporative loss, Mr. Hill explained that the pond will be bac~lled within the next 60 days <br />to avoid any problems with evaporative loss and Senate Bill 120. Mr. Hill and this inspector estimate approximately <br />32 acres of pit Floor are still in need of topsoiling and revegetation. In the event that the operator wishes to change <br />the reclamation plan for the pit floor to allow for other methods of stabilizing the pit floor, the operator would need to <br />submit an application for a technical revision to the reclamation plan. <br />4. Mr. Hill explained that the City of Greeley will be making some significant changes to Pit No. 1 within the next 12-24 <br />months including installation of hydrologic structures for the purpose of Flood control, ie: a concrete slide structure <br />near the top of reclaimed south pit wall and a retention pond in the pit Floor to help provide storage fora 100-year <br />Flood. This inspector notes that these changes are not included in the approved reclamation plan. Following <br />installation of these structures, the city will regrade disturbed pit walls to a 4:1 slope. Mr. Hill expressed a desire for <br />a financial warranty release for these reclaimed areas prior to implementation of the the City of Greeley's plans. In <br />the event that a release for these areas is not granted prior to the City of Greeley activities, the operator will need to <br />revise the reclamation plan to include the hydrologic structures and features planned by the City of Greeley. Various <br />options for processing such a warranty release request were discussed with Mr. Hill. <br />5. Signs and markers were in place as required by Rule 3.1.12. <br />6. There were a several large stockpiles of retycled asphalt and a number of structures in the northwestern portion of <br />the permit area. Mr. Hill reported that all stockpiles, structures, tanks, and equipment in this area will be removed <br />from the site during final reclamation. The structures noted at the time of inspection include a tool shed with <br />concrete slab, concrete redi-mix building with concrete slab, 3 large asphalt storage tanks, 6 fuel tanks, and a variety <br />of non-roadable mining equipment. It was assumed at the time of inspection that all of these structures occur within <br />the remaining 68.5 acres to be reclaimed according to the approved plan. It would be helpful for the operator to <br />delineate the boundaries of the 6.5 acres already released so as to know which areas are still in need of final <br />reclamation. An accurate demolition cost for existing structures within the 68.5 acres could also be determined. <br />(Page 3) <br />