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OBSERVATIONS <br />The Division's last inspection of the Borrow Area C site was August 15, 2006. <br />PERMIT #: M- 1981 -086 <br />INSPECTOR'S INITIALS: PSH <br />INSPECTION DATE: July 27, 2011 <br />The Borrow Area C, File No. M- 1981 -086, was inspected by Peter Hays with the Division of Reclamation, <br />Mining and Safety (Division) as part of the Division's monitoring inspection program. Mr. Noble Underbrink <br />with Northern Colorado Water Conservancy District (NCWCD) was present during the inspection. <br />Gen. Compliance With Mine Plan: <br />The site was inactive during the inspection and no mining activity has occurred in several years. The site was <br />last mined by Grand County Department of Road and Bridge. The agreement between Grand County and <br />Northern Colorado Water Conservancy District expired and has not been renegotiated. The site is almost <br />mined out with approximately 50 to 100 lineal feet of gravel remaining at the north end of the site. The <br />highwall was estimated to be 20 feet high. Stockpiles of process material were observed in the middle of the <br />site. The stockpiled material is used for road maintenance in the area. Overburden and topsoil stockpiles <br />were observed in the southwest corner of the site. The topsoil and overburden stockpiles were well vegetated <br />and appeared stable. <br />Reclamation Success: <br />No reclamation activities have begun at the site. No noxious weeds were noted during the inspection. Mr. <br />Underbrink stated the site is sprayed as needed to control weeds. <br />Signs and Markers: <br />The mine sign and boundary markers were observed as required by Rule 3.1.12. The site is delineated by <br />fence on the north and west sides and metal T -posts on the south and east sides. <br />Storm Water MGT Plan: <br />Flood irrigation water from the hay field located north of the site is causing several potential problems. The <br />water is causing erosion gullies to form along the northern boundary. If the gullies are not repaired by <br />NCWCD and the areas erode beyond the permit boundary, the erosion could result in possible violation of <br />C.R.S. 34- 32.5- 116(4)(i) for failure to protect areas outside of the affected land from slides or damage during <br />the mining and reclamation. NCWCD indicated they intent to expand the site to the north in the near future. <br />The proposed expansion would resolve the potential violation and eliminated the source of the water. The <br />Division suggests the operator submit and receive approval for a permit amendment to expand the pit before <br />the erosion is allowed to affect land outside the permitted area. <br />The irrigation water is retained on the northern pit floor before being allowed to discharge along the west <br />boundary of the site. Stormwater berms were observed along the east and west sides of the pit floor; <br />however the water has eroded several areas in the west berm. The permit application for the site states, <br />drainage will be towards Willow Creek and that there is a large intervening pasture between the mining <br />operation and Willow Creek which will filter out any sediment material should runoff reach Willow Creek. The <br />Division does not know if the irrigation water discharge to Willow Creek is in violation of the stormwater <br />permit for the site issued by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment. A copy of this <br />inspection was sent to Kathy Rosow with CDPHE for further investigation if needed. <br />Page 2 of 4 <br />