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OBSERVATIONS <br />PERMIT #: M- 1981 -075 <br />INSPECTOR'S INITIALS: MAC <br />INSPECTION DATE: April 25, 2012 <br />The inspection was conducted by Michael Cunningham of the Division of Reclamation, Mining and Safety <br />(Division). Joe Phillips of Phillips Stone Company was present for the inspection. The Phillips Stone Company <br />site is located approximately 2 miles north of Lyons, CO. The site is permitted for 9.9 acres with a maximum <br />allowed disturbance of 3 acres. The approved post- mining land use is residential. <br />The permit sign was posted at the entrance to the site and the permit boundary was clearly delineated with <br />monuments. The Phillips Stone Company site is divided into an upper and lower quarry. The following <br />observations were made at each of the quarries: <br />Lower Quarry: <br />Active quarry operations were taking place in the lower quarry at the time of the inspection. The Operator is <br />currently mining to the west. A highwall has been created along the western permit boundary in the lower <br />quarry; the highwall is approximately 225 ft. in length and is approximately 20 ft. tall at the highest point. The <br />Operator has stockpiled overburden material approximately 60 ft. from the face of the highwall; this material <br />will be dozed back up to the face to reduce the height of the highwall to no greater than 6 ft. The available <br />topsoil has been salvaged and incorporated into the work deck. <br />Upper Quarry: <br />The upper quarry area has a highwall that is approximately 200 ft. in length and is approximately 4 -12 ft in <br />height. The available topsoil has been salvaged and incorporated into the work deck. In addition to the <br />highwall, the Operator has quarried downward and created a pit approximately 200 feet from the face of the <br />highwall. The pit is approximately 10 ft. deep; the operator has stockpiled overburden around the perimeter <br />of the pit to be pushed in during final reclamation. <br />Financial Warranty: <br />The Division currently holds a financial warranty in the amount of $1,400.00. The financial warranty amount <br />was based on a total disturbance of three acres. The Division measured the total disturbance at the site using <br />an aerial photograph from 2011 and found that the total disturbance exceeds the three acre limit. The extent <br />of the disturbance is approximately five acres. Therefore, the Division has reason to believe the financial <br />warranty for this site is not adequate to complete reclamation. The Division will recalculate the financial <br />warranty amount. Notice of an increased financial warranty will be sent under separate cover. <br />Revegetation: <br />During the inspection the Division observed diffuse knapweed throughout the site. Diffuse knapweed is a State <br />listed noxious weed and is on List B which requires Operators to develop a weed control plan designed to stop <br />the continued spread of this species. The Applicant has released two types of weevils which attack the root <br />and flowers of the plant. The Operator does not have an approved weed control plan in place; therefore, the <br />presence of diffuse knapweed has been cited as a problem. Please see the first page of this report for <br />additional information. <br />This concluded the inspection. <br />Page 2 of 4 <br />