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PERMIT #: M-2005-075 <br />INSPECTOR'S INITIALS: DMC <br />INSPECTION DATE: April 7, 2011 <br />OBSERVATIONS <br />This inspection was conducted as part of the Division of Reclamation, Mining and Safety's (Division) normal <br />monitoring program. Peter Kearl, representing the Operator, was present during this inspection. Photographs <br />are included at the end of this report in order to illustrate some of the conditions observed during this <br />inspection. The site is part of the greater Oldcastle SW Group, Inc. dba United Companies of Mesa County <br />Rifle gravel pit complex. <br />The site is located approximately 2 miles east of Rifle and accessed from Hwy. 6, through the Dick Casey (M- <br />1978-349), Chambers Pit (M-1979-205) and Chambers Gravel Pit (M-1979-075) sites. <br />Affected area boundary markers (fencing) were in place and adequate. No off site damage was noted during <br />this inspection. <br />The Division currently holds a Financial Warranty in the amount of $54,060.00. This amount has been <br />reviewed and deemed inadequate to complete reclamation at the site based on the the conditions observed <br />during this inspection. An updated Reclamation Cost Estimate has been enclosed, following this report. <br />According to the Operators Mine Plan for this site, excavation was to occur at near vertical slopes until <br />approaching 45 feet of the mining limits, at which point slopes were to be reduced to 3H:1V by cut and fill <br />methods. It was noted during this inspection that excavation had nearly reached the mining limits proposed <br />for this site and that slopes, except for the east side of the pit which had been backfilled prior to this <br />inspection, had not been mined to 3H:1V. Therefore, the Financial Warranty for this site will need to account <br />for costs for transporting backfill material to the pit walls and for final grading of the backfill material in order <br />to establish the required slopes of 3H:1V or less. <br />Mining was not occurring at the site during this inspection, and the pit had been allowed to fill with water. A <br />stormwater berm had been constructed around the perimeter of the pit. <br />Near vertical slopes, approximately twenty-five feet high, were observed on the north side of a topsoil <br />stockpile located in the northeast part of the permit area. This has been noted as a problem for failure to <br />store topsoil stockpiles in configurations that will minimize erosion in accordance with Rule 3.1.9 (3). <br />Additionally, adequate vegetation was not observed on the topsoil stockpile. Pursuant to Rule 3.1.9 (1), if <br />topsoil is not replaced on a backfill area within a time short enough to avoid deterioration of the topsoil, <br />vegetative cover or other means shall be employed so that the topsoil is protected from erosion. It was stated <br />in the Operator's mine plan that after topsoil removal, topsoil stockpiles that are in place for greater than 365 <br />days would be promptly seeded in order to minimize soil loss. <br />No other problems or violations were noted during this inspection. <br />Responses to this inspection report should be directed to Dustin Czapla at the Division of Reclamation, Mining <br />and Safety, Grand Junction Field Office, 101 South 3rd Street, Room 301, Grand Junction, Colorado 81501, <br />phone number (970) 243-6299. <br />Page 3 of 4