_INSPECTION - C1980006 ‎(37)‎

• Permit No: C1980006
• IBM Index Class Name: INSPECTION
• Doc Name: Inspection Report
• Inspection Date: 7/21/2009
• Email Name: JHB
• Media Type: D
• Archive: No

III. COMMENTS - COMPLIANCE
Below are comments on the inspection. The comments include discussion of observations made during
the inspection. Comments also describe any enforcement actions taken during the inspection and the
facts or evidence supporting the enforcement action.
This was a partial inspection conducted by Janet Binns of Colorado Division of Reclamation, Mining
and Safety. The mine is a reclaimed surface mine. The weather was dry and clear. The operator has a
consultant, IME, on the site conducting vegetation sampling. Sampling is being conducting on the
remaining reclaimed acreage at the mine site and at the load out.
Hydrologic Balance: The Load Out pond was not discharging but the pond was holding a pool of water.
The pond embankments were well vegetated with no maintenance concerns noted. The permanent pool
in the pond is shallow and contains water plants. Grebes were in the pond at the time of the inspection.
Topsoil: The consultant delineated the western boundary of the reclaimed parcel on the eastern slope of
the warehouse pad by the topsoiled area versus non-topsoiled(graveled) area, and correlation with the
map. This western boundary designation is logical and the division is in agreement with where the
consultant has defined the limits of the sampling areas.
Reclamation Success and Revegetation: Vegetation sampling was being conducted at the north parcel
at the mine area(east side of warehouse area) at the time of the inspection. Spring moisture has been
very good and vegetation is in good condition. Basin wildrye and Russian wildrye were at antithesis.
The sampling protocol was discussed with IME (Kent Crofts). 50 M long transects were sampled using
a 10 point frame. Five randomly determined sampling points were collected along the transect. —
Transect start locations were randomly determined in the office, entered into a GPS, then navigated to in
the field. Random compass direction was determined for each transect in the office. IME indicated that
30 transects would be collected for the reclaimed parcels at the mine. Similar sampling protocol would
be employed at the alkali sage reference area and for the Load Out reclamation and Load Out Sagebrush —
reference area. The sampling protocol is in agreement with the Marr Permit. Productivity and woody
stem density sampling was collected as well.
Both the Alkali sagebrush and Loadout Sagebrush reference areas were observed. Neither reference area
had been grazed or disturbed prior to the sampling. The alkali sagebrush reference area is east facing
and dry. The native vegetation is very low growing, sparse, and has few herbaceous species in it. The
visually dominant species are alkali sagebrush, very low growing rabbitbrush.
The Loadout sagebrush reference area was not staked, but it was easy to located based on visual
landmarks. The Load out reference area is visually dominated by big sagebrush, needle and thread
grass, Sheep fescue, rabbitbrush and Big bluegrass. There is considerable bare ground visible in this
undisturbed reference area. The site was not obviously eroding and appeared representative of the
surrounding locale.
Patches of Canada thistle were encountered at the north end of the north parcel and on the south end of
the north parcel. Several Canada thistle patches were also encountered towards the eastern edge of the
southern parcel. Canada thistle is encroaching from the adjacent property onto the Load out near the
gate. Canada thistle is considered a noxious weed species and needs to be controlled in accordance with
the Marr weed management plan.
3 of 6 WHITE-File YELLOW-Operator PINK-Specialist