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MINE ID # OR PROSPECTING ID #: U-1978-0.519 <br />INSPECTION DATE: 9/9A.19nog INSPECTOR=S INITIALS: JI F <br />OBSERVATIONS <br />This was a normal monitoring inspection of the Howe Pit; permit number M-1978-052. This site is located two <br />miles southwest of the town of Henderson, Colorado in Adams County. I, Jared Ebert of the Colorado Division <br />of Reclamation, Mining and Safety conducted the inspection. Mr. Sean Frisch, Amie Robert of Lafarge North <br />America and John Bambei of Denver Water accompanied me on the inspection. <br />The permit area for this site is 389.2 acres. For this site, the post mine land use is designated as developed <br />water resource. At this time, mining appears to be completed. Through the mining operation the operator has <br />created two water reservoirs and a fresh water pond that lies between them. The two reservoirs slopes were <br />embanked with shale's and clay overburden and the liner was keyed into the shale floor. A gas line right-of- <br />way separates the two reservoirs and a fresh water ditch lies within the gas line right-of-way. The operator had <br />to re-locate another fresh water ditch around the mine area called the "Bull Seep" and according to Mr. Frisch <br />this task has been completed. A Redi-Mix plant and mined material stockpiles are located on the north east <br />portion of the site near the mine entrance at Brighton Road ands 112th Avenue. Many pumps and monitoring <br />wells are also located throughout the site. <br />The Permit Boundaries appeared to be marked, however a mine identification sign was not observed at the mine <br />entrance. This is cited as a problem on the last page of this inspection report. The fresh water pond that is <br />located on the eastern portion of the mine site appeared stable, and very dense wetland vegetation is established <br />around the pond. Several Russian-olive (Elaeagnus angustifolia) trees were noticed around the pond. The site <br />will not be able to be released unless the Russian-olives are treated and removed. It is recommended that these <br />trees be treated while the infestation is relatively small. At this time a trench has been dug around the mine site <br />to install a French Drain around the reservoirs. <br />The south reservoir pit slopes appear to be 3:1 or less. The pit slopes were stable at the time of the inspection <br />and were densely covered with various weeds, primarily Kochia weed. According to Mr. Frisch, the reservoir <br />liner was tested by the OSE and Lafarge is awaiting the results of the test. <br />On the south east portion of the North Reservoir, the operator installed the First Creek Inflow Spillway for flood <br />control. This structure appears to be stable. For the North Reservoir, the slopes vary in steepness, but none of <br />the slopes appeared to be greater than a 3:1 slope. The pit slopes at the time of the inspection were stable with <br />only minor rills forming along the slopes, the majority of the vegetation established along the pit slopes was <br />Kochia weed and ragweed, and some grasses were observed. <br />The Bull Seep was also observed at several locations in the permit area. The ditch appeared to be functioning <br />properly and was full of water at the time of the inspection. The operator is currently de-watering the two pit <br />excavations. The water is being discharged into the Bull Seep. The area surrounding the Bull Seep was stable <br />and covered with dense vegetation such as grasses, shrubs and various species of trees. The Bull Seep drop <br />structures appeared to have been installed near the north west corner of the northern reservoir. <br />Overall, this site appears to be in the final reclamation phases of the plan. The site will need to be revegetated <br />as it is discussed in the approved reclamation plan. Several structures that are currently on the site like various <br />pumps, wells and the Redi-Mix plant will need to be removed. If the operator intends to leave these structures, <br />they will need to submit a Technical Revision to the approved permit, specifically changing the reclamation <br />plan in order to leave the various structures installed on the site. Before the site is released the Division will <br />need evidence that the Office of the State Engineer has approved the reservoir liners.