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PERMIT #: M-2010-047 <br />INSPECTOR'S INITIALS: MAC <br />INSPECTION DATE: August 26, 2010 <br />OBSERVATIONS <br />The inspection was conducted by Michael Cunningham of the Division of Reclamation, Mining and Safety <br />(Division). Ryan Ellis of Greg Lewicki and Associates was also present of the inspection. The Lone Tree Pit is <br />located approximately 3 miles northeast of Pierce, Colorado. The proposed permit area is 40.02 acres and the <br />proposed post-mining land use is rangeland. <br />This pre-operational inspection was conducted as part of the Division's regular monitoring program. The 112 <br />Construction Materials Reclamation Permit Application was submitted to the Division on July 9, 2010. The <br />application is currently under review and the decision date is October 7, 2010. <br />The proposed mine site is situated along the Lone Tree Creek, an ephemeral creek which is partially vegetated. <br />The Lone Tree Creek flows north to south through the proposed permit area. The Lone Tree Creek was not <br />flowing at the time of the inspection, nor was there any water within the channel. The creek exits the site at the <br />southeast corner and discharges into a culvert which flows under County Road 37. The culvert was partially <br />blocked with tumble weeds and other vegetative debris. The wooded area along County Road 37 contains trash <br />which was likely dumped illegally, the Operator will ultimately be responsible for disposing of this refuse. <br />The southern end of the site contains a pre-law mine site, which was never reclaimed. The pre-law mine <br />accounts for approximately 8.74 acres of the total permit area. A portion of the deposit within the pre-law mine <br />was left intact, creating a gravel island on the southern permit boundary. The slopes of the gravel island are <br />1H:1V. The application states the gravel island will be mined. The Operator should be aware that any portion of <br />the pre-law mine which is redisturbed by this mining operation will be subject to reclamation. The pre-law mine <br />site should be carefully delineated, so that it is clear which portions will be affected and which portions will not. <br />The permit boundary is flanked by County Road 96 on the north side and County Road 37 on the east side. The <br />proposed permit boundary is delineated by an existing fence. No other permanent man-made structures were <br />identified. The disturbed portions of the site are dominated by annual weeds and downy brome. The upland <br />portions of the site which have not been disturbed contain prickly pear, sage brush, blue grama and other native <br />grasses representative of a high plains desert. Downy brome is listed on Colorado's Noxious Weed List; <br />therefore, the Applicant should include the treatment of this noxious weed species in the Weed Control Plan. <br />Topsoil on the site is nonexistent within the channel of Lone Tree Creek and portions of the pre-law mine. The <br />undisturbed areas of the site contain 6 - 8 inches of topsoil. <br />Based on this inspection, no observations were made that would restrict the approval of this application. This <br />concluded the inspection. <br />Page 2 of 9 <br />