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BAMBERG ECOLOGY, LLC <br />g Environmental Consulting Services <br />MEMORANDUM <br />To: Mr. Paul Glader, Hecla Mining Company <br />From: Ingrid Bamberg, Ph.D., Bamberg Ecological <br />Date: August 4, 2011 <br />Re: Results of 2011 Mesita Hill Site Inspection with DRMS <br />This report documents my observations on the reclamation progress to date at the Mesi- <br />ta Hill project (Mine Id # M- 1977 -227) in Costilla County, Colorado. Mesita Hill is an <br />open -pit, volcanic scoria mining operation owned by Hecla Mining Company encom- <br />passing a 201.2 -acre permit area. The mine is located in southern Colorado in the San <br />Luis Valley east of Highway 159 (Sec 26, T2N, R74W, 6 PM). This is the third growing <br />year since the seeding program in fall 2008. I performed two site visits during 2011, on <br />May 6 (solitary) and on July 28 with Robert Oswald of the Colorado Division of Rec- <br />lamation, Mining, and Safety. <br />An inspection report was prepared by Mr., Oswald as part of a Technical Revision (TR- <br />2) for additional reclamation procedures and to support surety reduction. My observa- <br />tions and this trip report concur with his inspection report. The grading efforts have re- <br />mained stable and erosion is not an issue at this site. Vegetation density across the <br />seeded areas is relatively sparse and variable at approximately 5 -6 plants per 100 ft in <br />the lowest cover areas (chiefly the central flat) to approximately 25 plants per 100 ft in <br />the greatest cover areas (north- facing slopes and runoff collection areas on the topsoil <br />replacement areas). <br />As noted in the inspection report, although still a minor issue, the two noxious weeds <br />(Russian knapweed [Acroptilon repens] and Canada thistle [Cirsium arvense]; both Colo- <br />rado Noxious Weed List B) are still persisting around the concrete slab at the entrance <br />road. Continued weed control is important to eradicate these weeds in this highly visible <br />location. Russian thistle (Salsola spp.) was noted across the site but at reduced cover <br />from the previous two years since seeding. <br />