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(Page 2) <br />MINE ID # OR PROSPECTING ID #: M-1996-076 <br />INSPECTION DATE: 04/20/2010 <br />OBSERVATIONS <br />INSPECTOR'S INITIALS THM <br />This inspection was conducted as part of the normal monitoring program established by the Colorado Division of <br />Reclamation, Mining and Safety (DRMS). The Western Slope Flagstone Pit is a 195.02 acre sand and gravel <br />operation located approximately 2 miles northeast of Palisade, Colorado. The operator of the Western Slope <br />Flagstone - Quarry No. 2, Rudolph Fontanari accompanied the inspector during the inspection. Michael P. Boulay <br />of the DRMS Coal Program was also conducting an inspection of the Roadside Portals Mine, Permit No. C-1981- <br />041, Mr. Boulay accompanied the inspector during the inspection. <br />The mine identification sign was not in compliance with rule 3.1.12. According to Rule 3.1.12 (1), at the main <br />entrance of the mine the operator shall post a sign, which shall be clearly visible from the access road. The sign <br />shall have the name of the operator; a statement that a reclamation permit for the operation has been issued by the <br />Colorado Mined Land Reclamation Board along with the permit number. Photo documentation of a sign. that meets <br />the requirements of Rule 3.1.12 (1) must be submitted to this office no later than May 24, 2010. <br />Per Rule 3.1.12 (2), permit boundary markers of the affected area shall be marked by monuments or other markers <br />that are clearly visible. No markers were observed during the inspection. Please submit photo documentation that <br />demonstrates that adequate boundary markers have been placed that clearly delineate the affected area and permit <br />boundary no later than May 24, 2010. <br />The mine was active during the inspection. It appeared that Phases 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7 in the "Middle Mine Area" <br />had been disturbed. The disturbance in the "Middle Mine Area" is approximately 14 acres. Phases 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 <br />were disturbed in the "North Mine Area" which was approximately 8.5 acres of disturbance. The approved <br />maximum disturbance is 5.2 acres. It was stated in the conversion approval letter dated May 6, 2003 that the DRMS <br />must be notified in writing 60 days prior to any disturbance in the "North Mining Area". The sight is under <br />bonded and to ensure the financial warranty remains adequate to reclaim this site per the requirements of <br />the approved reclamation plan, DRMS will update the reclamation cost estimate based on the conditions <br />observed during the inspection. The estimate will be forwarded to the operator under separate cover. The <br />last bond calculation was done in 2003. <br />The approved mine plan only allows for 5.2 acres of disturbance, therefore, a technical revision must be submitted to <br />account for the increased maximum disturbance from 5.2 acres to 22.5 acres. Please submit revised mine plan maps <br />for both the north and middle mining locations and include topsoil and overburden stockpile locations. The required <br />technical revision to the mine plan must be submitted no later than May 24, 2010. <br />A topsoil stock pile was observed near the middle of Phase 6. The slopes of the topsoil stockpile were steeper than <br />the required 3H:1 V. Per Rule 3.1.9 (3), topsoil stockpiles shall be stored in places and configurations to minimize <br />erosion. The current configuration provides no protection from erosion. Also, the topsoil stockpile shall be <br />protected by a vegetative cover or other means to protect topsoil from erosion and insure that topsoil is in usable <br />condition for reclamation. The topsoil must be re-configured with slopes no steeper than 311:1 V and if the stockpile <br />is to remain at this location through the next growing season it must be seeded with an approved seed mix or other <br />effective method. Please provide this office with photo-documentation that shows that the topsoil stockpile meets <br />the requirements of Rule 3.1.9 no later than May 24, 2010. <br />A fuel tank was observed in the "Middle Mine Area" that did not appear to have any secondary containment. Per <br />Rule 3.1.6(1)(a), disturbances to the prevailing hydrologic balance of the affected land and of the surrounding area