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PERMIT #: M-2002-109 <br />INSPECTOR'S INITIALS: JLE <br />INSPECTION DATE: June 1, 2011 <br />OBSERVATIONS <br />This was a monitoring inspection of the Cucharas Pit; DRMS File No. M-2002-109 operated by A. Blasi and Son <br />Trucking and Earthmoving, Inc. This site is located approximately 10.1 miles east of Walsenburg, Colorado in <br />Huerfano County. I, Jared Ebert of the Colorado Division of Reclamation, Mining and Safety conducted the <br />inspection. Mr. Anthony Blasi accompanied me on the inspection. <br />This is a 9.5 acre 110c mining operation. The appropriate mine identification sign was posted at the entrance <br />of the mine site and the boundary was marked with metal posts. A long access road enters the site from the <br />north. The mining operation is located on top of a small plateau. Based on the Division's observations and a <br />2009 aerial photo, approximately 5.6 acres has been affected by the mining operation excluding the acreage <br />affected by the access road. <br />The southern portion of the affected land has been graded to match the surrounding topography. The <br />vegetation in this portion of the affected land has established well. The majority of the vegetation consists of <br />blue grama grass and rabbit brush. The current excavation is located in the northern half of the affected land. <br />The highwall; located in the northern portion of the site, is approximately 10 feet tall with a southern and <br />western aspect and a 1:1 slope. Several piles of mined material surround the top of the excavation. The <br />topsoil has been placed in piles in the center of the site. <br />A small stockpile of material was observed partially outside of the northern permit boundary. Mr. Blasi <br />indicated he could move the stockpile within the permit boundary within a few weeks. On June 16, 2011 the <br />Division received photographic evidence that the pile has been moved inside the permit area. Based on a <br />phone conversation with Mr. Blasi, he stated the small area outside of the boundary affected by the stockpile <br />was seeded with the reclamation seed mixture. <br />Page 2 of 4 <br />