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(Page 2) <br />MINE ID # OR PROSPECTING ID #: M-1990-140 <br />INSPECTION DATE: 9-30-08 INSPECTOR'S INITIALS GRM <br />OBSERVATIONS <br />This inspection was conducted as part of the Colorado Division of Reclamation, Mining and Safety nonnal <br />monitoring program. The Martin Pit is located south of Craig South Highlands on 107 Road. The Martin Pit is a <br />110c permitted site. The permitee Jim Duran was contacted to schedule the inspection. Attempts to contact Mr. <br />Duran the day of the inspection were unsuccessful but he did leave the gate open as arraigned. <br />The mine identification sign and affected area boundary markers are in place and in compliance with Rule 3.1.12. <br />The sign is located at the entrance to the site at the top of the hill. Permit boundaries were noted as t-posts at key <br />corners with the exception of the southwestern point. <br />Evidence of recent activities include fresh excavation in the south pit area, dumped materials along a small high wall <br />area in the northwest and recently buried materials in the pit area. No stockpiled excavation materials were <br />observed. An excavator was the only piece of equipment on site. No fuel tanks or other petroleum products were <br />noted on site. The site appears to be being excavated for particular materials from several different areas within the <br />permit boundaries. <br />The 2007 Annual Report map notes approximately a third of the site is reclaimed. The inspector's observations note <br />that the slopes in this area are approximately 3:1. Access roads to the upper bench and lower presently mined areas <br />traverse this area. Revegetation of positive species appears to be primarily slender wheatgrass and some type of <br />natural aster. The predominant vegetation however is annual weeds such as Russian thistle and similar species. At <br />this point revegetation success appears to be very marginal. <br />A noxious and/or problematic weed infestation (Canadian or musk thistle) was observed within the affected area. <br />Per Rule 3.1.10 (6) methods of weed control shall be employed for all prohibited noxious weed species. The <br />infestation, if not controlled, will most likely hinder and/or delay successful reclamation of this site and contribute to <br />off-site spreading and establishment of these weeds. A weed control plan developed in consultation with, and <br />approved by, the appropriate local weed control authority must be submitted as a technical revision to this permit. <br />Please note that by policy this site is considered a source for the thistle infestation. The inspector noted no <br />infestations along the immediate boundaries to the permitted area. This requires much more rigorous control than if <br />the site were a sink. Significant progress toward control of on-site weeds must be demonstrated within three years to <br />avoid potential Board action. Any release requests in the future may be impacted by the failure to control the <br />noxious weeds. Weed infestation is noted as a problem with the corrective action(s) and correction date specified <br />on the last page of this report. <br />Topsoil and overburden are being stockpiled along the north edge. Rule 3.1.9 requires topsoil have: "protection <br />from erosion, remains free of any contamination by toxic or acid-forming material, and is in a usable condition for <br />reclamation." Side slopes of the stockpiles were observed to be devoid of any erosion control measures. Trash was <br />noted as being dumped in the topsoil area as well and need to be removed. If the stockpiles are to remain in place <br />for longer than a year, vegetative cover such as a nurse or cover crop should be used. Staff recommends using the <br />same seed mix and application rates that will be used in final reclamation. However, the approved mine plan notes <br />that topsoil stockpiles will be seeded with western wheatgrass. Inadequate erosion control for topsoil is noted as a <br />problem with the corrective action(s) and correction date specified on the last page of this report.