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OBSERVATIONS <br />PERMIT #: M -1982 -090 <br />INSPECTOR'S INITIALS: RCO <br />INSPECTION DATE: August 29, 2011 <br />This was a routine inspection performed by the Division as part of its monitoring of Hard Rock /Metal 112 <br />permits. The operator was contacted but was not present during the inspection. The site was not active at <br />the time of the inspection. The site is fenced to prevent vehicular access, so the site was accessed on foot for <br />the inspection. The site has been in final reclamation for several years, and there has been no activity since <br />that time. <br />Acid And Toxic Materials: <br />All ore and contaminants were removed during the last reclamation work a few years ago. Prior to that, the <br />northern tailings areas were armored and vegetated to prevent blowing dust and improve water quality. The <br />settling pond was breached and buried in- place, and mill facilities were broken and buried, or dismantled and <br />removed. There is no seepage or stained discharge, and no debris or hydrocarbons left onsite. <br />Backfilling and Grading: <br />Reclamation earthwork was completed several years ago, including slope reduction and spreading of all <br />available growth medium. The portal (level 14) is sufficiently open to allow the significant perennial discharge <br />to continue, but it has caved enough to prevent entry. The steel pipe portal grate is no longer in place, and it <br />may no longer be needed due to caving; it was observed lying near the electrical transformer station. <br />Financial Warranty: <br />Given the little amount of remaining reclamation, the bond is considered adequate at this time. <br />Hydrologic Balance: <br />The portal discharge was found to meet standards and is permitted through CDPHE. No sampling is required <br />under the DRMS permit. The operator was allowed to eliminate the settling pond, and portal discharge flows <br />directly into Imogene Creek, then to Canyon Creek. <br />Processing Waste: <br />Tailings within the permitted boundary have been stabilized; they consist of those north of Canyon Creek and <br />those south of Canyon Creek. The tailings at the extreme southeastern end pre -date this permit and are not <br />included in the permitted area; they were not reclaimed by the operator. <br />Reclamation Success: <br />The reclamation performed to -date appears to be stable and in conformance to the reclamation plan. The <br />operator should review the reclamation plan requirements and if the plan appears to be fully completed, a <br />request for reclamation liability release may be submitted. Please refer to Hard Rock /Metal Rule 4.17.1 for <br />the steps to request release. <br />Revegetation: <br />The seeding performed by the operator and the natural vegetation are becoming well - established. A fairly <br />uniform stand of narrowleaf cottonwood trees (averaging 2 feet tall) is growing on the northern tailings area, <br />along with an unidentified composite forb. Across the creek, and especially on the areas with a layer of <br />growth medium, the site exhibits a good cover of timothy grass, sedge, mountain brome, and an unidentified <br />wheatgrass. Reclaimed areas that did not receive the growth medium were also seeded but the revegetation <br />Page 2 of 5 <br />