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OBSERVATIONS <br />PERMIT #: M- 1977 - 163 -SG <br />INSPECTOR'S INITIALS: MAC <br />INSPECTION DATE: October 18, 2012 <br />The inspection was conducted by Michael Cunningham of the Division of Reclamation, Mining and Safety <br />(Division). John DeWitt (Lincoln County Land Use Administrator) and Chris Monks (Road & Bridge Foreman) <br />were also present for the inspection. The Fisher Pit is located approximately 10 miles north of Holyoke, <br />Colorado. The site is permitted for 36.90 acres and the post- mining land use is rangeland. <br />This was a regular monitoring inspection which was conducted at the request of the Operator. The purpose of <br />the inspection was to assess the remaining reclamation work which needs to be completed before the site is <br />eligible for release; mining at the Fisher Pit was completed in 2008. As noted during previous inspections, <br />reclamation of the site is mostly complete. The area requiring additional reclamation is located immediately <br />north of the access road along the northern permit boundary. The mined area has been graded to 3H:1V from <br />the edge of the permit boundary down towards the access road. The reclaimed slope lacked vegetation and <br />contained rills and gullies. The mine site receives surface water runoff from the areas to the north, which may <br />be contributing to the observed erosion. During the last inspection conducted on February 17, 2010 the <br />Division noted erosion in this same area. Following the last inspection, the Operator sent the Division <br />photographic documentation demonstrating that the slopes had been regraded and seeded. The site will not <br />be eligible for release until this area has been regraded and has established vegetation. The Operator may <br />want to consider revising the Reclamation Plan to address the eroding slope. Possible alternatives may include <br />terracing the slope or constructing a berm at the top of the slope to divert stormwater runoff. Revising the <br />Reclamation Plan would require the submittal of a Technical Revision. <br />The access road also serves as a site entrance to the Hoffman Pit (M- 2005 -044) which is located on the east <br />side of the Fisher Pit. The Operator would like the road to remain following the completion of reclamation. <br />The current Reclamation Plan does not specify that the access road would remain when reclamation is <br />complete. In order for the road to remain, the Operator will need to file a Technical Revision with an updated <br />Reclamation Plan and Reclamation Plan Map. In addition, the Operator will need to provide a notarized letter <br />from the landowner which authorizes the Operator to leave the access road in place. <br />This concluded the inspection. <br />Page 2 of 3 <br />