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OBSERVATIONS <br />PERMIT #: M- 1994 -080 <br />INSPECTOR'S INITIALS: MAC <br />INSPECTION DATE: January 30, 2012 <br />The inspection was conducted by Michael Cunningham of the Division of Reclamation, Mining and Safety <br />(Division). Judy Sprague and Adam Fulford of Arkins Park Stone Corp. were also present for the inspection. The <br />Berthoud Sunset Quarry is located approximately 7.5 miles west of Berthoud, CO. The site is permitted for 9.9 <br />acres and the post- mining land use is rangeland. <br />Financial Warranty: <br />The Division currently holds a financial warranty in the amount of $35,300, which has been determined to be <br />sufficient to complete reclamation at this site. The financial warranty amount is a based on a maximum <br />allowed disturbance of 5 acres. The Division estimates that approximately 4.6 acres have been disturbed to <br />date. The Operator should be aware the total disturbance is not to exceed 5 acres without first completing <br />reclamation or posting an increased financial warranty. In addition, if reclamation is completed over all or a <br />portion of the currently disturbed area, then the Division must verify the reclamation has been performed <br />according to the Reclamation Plan prior to disturbing any additional areas. <br />Gen. Compliance With Mine Plan: <br />According to the 2011 Annual Report, the site was not quarried in 2011. However, the Operator removed <br />stockpiled material from the site. Pursuant to C.R.S. 34- 32.5- 103(11)(b), Operators must include in their <br />permit applications a statement that the affected lands are to be used less than one hundred eighty days per <br />year. A review of the permit application found that the Operator did not include such a statement. The <br />Division is currently reviewing the status of sites which operate less than 180 days per year. The Operator will <br />be notified under separate cover of any changes to the Division's policy regarding sites which are operated <br />intermittently. <br />The Berthoud Sunset Quarry is accessed by the haul road which runs through the Berthoud Pink Quarry (M- <br />1985 -211). The ridge which is being quarried has an easterly aspect and is generally at a 3H:1V slope. The <br />Operator has created a work deck at the east side of the quarry, which is used for product storage. All topsoil <br />has been salvaged and incorporated into the work deck. The face of the slope contains a substantial amount of <br />sandstone rubble. Some of the material may be saleable; however, the Division does not consider this material <br />to be product until it has been removed from the slope and stockpiled. No reclamation work has been <br />completed since the Division's prior inspection on June 6, 2006. <br />Revegetation: <br />The Division observed Diffuse knapweed (Centaurea diffusa) during the inspection, which is a noxious weed <br />that is a short- lived, non - creeping perennial, a biennial, or occasionally an annual that reproduces and spreads <br />solely from seed. Diffuse knapweed is on the Colorado Noxious Weed B List, which means that a weed <br />management plan must be developed to stop the continued spread of the species. The presence of Diffuse <br />knapweed has been cited as a problem and will require corrective action by the Operator; please see the first <br />page of this report for additional information. <br />Signs and Markers: <br />The permit sign was posted at the site entrance and the boundary of the affected area was clearly delineated <br />per Rule 3.1.12. <br />Page 2 of 4 <br />