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MINE ID # OR PROSPECTING ID #: MI 1999-034; <br />ML2004-031 j <br />INSPECTION DATE: 7XA.108 INSPECTORS INITIALS: 11 F/Fr S <br />/MAC <br />OBSERVATIONS <br />i <br />On July 8th, 2008, I Jared Ebert, Michael Cunningham and Eric Scott of the Colorado, Division of Reclamation, <br />Mining and Safety conducted a normal. Monitoring Inspection of the Cooley Reservoir and Fulton Wildlife Area <br />Mine (M-1999- 034) and the Hazeltine Mine (M-2004-031). These two mines area operated by Aggregate <br />Industries, they are located approximately one-half mile west of Commerce City, in Adams County, Colorado. <br />Mr. Trey Poulson of Aggregate Industries accompanied us on the inspection. <br />M-1999-034 Cooley Resrvoir and Fulton Wildlife Area <br />The proper mine identification sign was posted at the main entrance to the plant site and it appeared that the <br />permit boundaries were clearly marked!. Mined material was actively being processed at the site. The mine site <br />is split into two areas by the South Platte River. The area east of the South Platte River was inspected first. <br />This area consists of wetland areas and', pond known as the Jeronimus property that is currently being filled with <br />sediment from the processing area (Figure 1-2). This area is currently being prepared to be partially dewatered <br />so material can be excavated from the property. Once mining is complete in this property, the area will be <br />completely filled with sediment material from the processing area to create a wetland. The area of the pond that <br />is currently filled with sediment is partially covered with numerous wetland plant species. <br />A "DIMP" monitoring program is required for the Jeronimus operation. According to Mr. Poulson the first <br />sampling required for this property prior to dewatering the pond has been completed. <br />The portion of the permit area west of the South Platte River contains three reservoirs; and an overburden <br />stockpile that were created during the reining process of this area. Mr. Poulson stated] that some of the <br />reservoirs are currently owned by the City of Thorton and some of them are owned by the City of Aurora. At <br />this time, partially improved roads are located around each pond. All the slopes around the ponds appeared to <br />be stable and had vegetation established above the water line (Figure 3). The majority of the vegetation <br />established on the pond slopes appeared to be Kochia weed (Figure 5). Above the pond slopes and along the <br />road ways, Thistle was found in many locations, along with bindweed (figure 6). A crew from the City of <br />Thorton were mowing and spraying weeds at the site during the inspection. At this time, the grasses that were <br />planted in accordance with the reclamation plan have not established. Material from the overburden pile found <br />on the site appears to have been partially excavated (Figure 4). <br />I <br />Mr. Mike Refer of Aggregate Industries indicated that they would like to get a surety release or reduction for <br />the Cooley Reservoir area west of the South Platte River based on a phone conversation that occurred prior to <br />the inspection of the site. A full acreage/surety release of the Cooley Reservoir area west of the South Platte <br />River, would not be possible at this time due to the lack of native vegetation establishment around the <br />reservoirs. However, if evidence is received by the Division that the Office of the State Engineer had certified <br />that the slurry wall that was constructed around the reservoirs is functioning according to their standards a <br />surety reduction is possible for the slurry wall construction. Also, the slopes around the ponds are established <br />and stable; a partial surety reduction may be possible for establishing these slopes.