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e- <br />(Page 2) <br />MINE ID # OR PROSPECTING ID #: M-2000-034 <br />INSPECTION DATE: 11/16/09 INSPECTOR'S INITIALS: ECS <br />OBSERVATIONS <br />This was an acreage reduction/surety release inspection for the Loveland Pit, a 112c sand and gravel permit <br />operated by Lafarge aggregates and concrete, conducted by Eric Scott of DRMS. DRMS visited the site with <br />Anne Best-Johnson and David Jordan of Lafarge. The eastern portion of the permit known as the "Reichert <br />Phase"' was the focus of this inspection. <br />The current approved post-mining land use for the site is wildlife habitat. The site grading and sloping <br />appeared to be adequate at this time; however, the site is heavily infested with Russian-olive trees. Due to <br />recent heavy snowfall, the current condition of the approved vegetation planted on site and the presence or <br />absence of weeds could not be accurately evaluated during this inspection. Ms. Johnson also stated that deer <br />had eaten most of the shrubs that had been planted in accordance with the approved reclamation plan. <br />Russian-olive has been classified as a List-B noxious weed by the Colorado Noxious Weed Act (CRS 35-5.5) <br />and therefore must be removed from currently permitted sites. DRMS cannot release permitted acreage if <br />Russian-olive trees are present. <br />Permit 'boundary and/or affected area markers were not observed on site. These markers will need to be <br />replaced. <br />The landowner has also begun to stage landscaping materials and other items and equipment on the north end of <br />the permitted area. The landowner has also placed large utility poles along the bank of the Big Thompson <br />River, and fenced and gated portions of the permit area. These activities/items are not consistent with the <br />approved reclamation plan. Lafarge will need to submit a Technical Revision to account for these <br />activities/items within the permitted area, or remove these items from the permitted area and complete the <br />reclamation as it is currently approved. <br />Because of these issues, the acreage release of the Reichert phase of the Loveland Pit will have to be denied at <br />this time unless the release request is first withdrawn by the permittee. When the Russian-olive trees are <br />removed from the site, a T.R. is approved for the ongoing landowner activities (or landowner activities are <br />removed from the currently permitted area) and the approved reclamation vegetation is well established and <br />weed-free, the site will be eligible for release.