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OBSERVATIONS <br />PERMIT #: M- 1979 -187 <br />INSPECTOR'S INITIALS: PSH <br />INSPECTION DATE: July 27, 2011 <br />The Morrow /Murphy Gravel Pit, File No. M- 1979 -187, was inspected by Peter Hays with the Division of <br />Reclamation, Mining and Safety (Division) as part of the Division's monitoring inspection program and as a <br />follow -up to the previous inspection. Mr. Ron Morrow with Morrow & Sons, Inc. was present during the <br />inspection. <br />The Morrow /Murphy Gravel Pit is located 2 miles northwest of Fraser, Colorado in Grand County. The site was <br />previously inspected by the Division on December 29, 2010. <br />Financial Warranty: <br />The Division currently holds a financial warranty in the amount of $132,600, which is adequate to reclaim the <br />site based on this inspection. <br />Hydrologic Balance: <br />All water related permits for the site were verified to be current with the SEO and CDPHE prior to the <br />inspection. <br />Gen. Compliance With Mine Plan: <br />The site was active at the time of the inspection. The asphalt batch plant operated by Everist Materials and <br />located in the southeast corner of the site was active. One of the two processing plants located in the middle <br />of the site was also active. The main highwall was approximately 30 feet high. A second highwall of <br />approximately 10 feet high is located in the southwest section of the pit floor and contains the washed <br />product stockpiles. <br />During the amendment process in 1998 to expand the gravel pit, the Operator committed to a maximum of <br />4700 lineal feet of working extraction face (highwall) with approximately 1000 feet of total vertical face and <br />the remaining area sloped between 2H:1V to 3H:1V. During the last inspection, the highwall appeared greater <br />than 1000 feet in length and sloped between vertical and 1H:1V. Due to the snow cover, the Division was <br />unable to measure the highwall length and slope more accurately. Since the last inspection, the highwalls <br />along the southern boundary and in the northwest corner have been reduced in slope. During the inspection, <br />the current slope was estimated at 2H:1V. The Operator stated the highwall slopes would be further reduced <br />to 3H:1V during the current mining season. The remaining highwall located along the east side of the pit is <br />vertical and was measured by the Operator to be approximately 1000 feet long. <br />Reclamation Success: <br />Reclamation activities were observed during the inspection. The highwalls along the southern boundary and <br />in the northwest corner of the site were being regraded as mentioned above. Topsoil stockpiles were <br />observed along the southern boundary and north and east of the current highwall. Topsoil and overburden is <br />stripped approximately 30 -50 feet ahead of mining operations each mining season. <br />Revegetation: <br />Noxious weeds including Canada thistle and numerous large patches of oxeye daises were observed mainly <br />north of the pit. The Operator stated they were aware of the problem and are scheduled to have the site <br />sprayed this fall. <br />Page 2 of 4 <br />