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OBSERVATIONS <br />PERMIT #: M- 2012 -045 <br />INSPECTOR'S INITIALS: SSS <br />INSPECTION DATE: January 11, 2013 <br />This was a pre- operation inspection performed by the Division of Reclamation, Mining and Safety (Division) as <br />part of its review of a new 112 construction materials permit application. Mr. Mark Morley (Applicant) and Mr. <br />Joe Gagliano (Consultant) were present for the inspection. Tyler O'Donnell (Division) was also present for the <br />inspection. The Stonewall Springs Quarry Gravel Pit site is located approximately eight miles east of Pueblo, in <br />Pueblo County. The site entrance is proposed to be just south of the intersection of Nyberg Road and US <br />Highway 50. <br />Inspection: <br />The required posted notice was displayed on the fence along the west side of Nyberg Road (see Photo 1). Mine <br />operations are proposed on both sides of Nyberg Road. Pueblo County has requested the Applicant construct a <br />conveyor system, designed and sealed by a professional engineer to transport material across Nyberg Road. <br />The primary current land use on the site is agricultural (see Photos 2 and 3). <br />The Evans Pit #2 (M- 2000 -041) is adjacent to the proposed south boundary west of Nyberg Road. The St. <br />Barbara Sand and Gravel Mine (M- 2004 -013) is adjacent to the proposed south boundary east of Nyberg Road. <br />There are no mining related disturbances on site except for the approximately 10.5 acres of wash material <br />originating from the Evans #2 pit. The Applicant has committed to using this material for backfilling the Phase <br />1 cell (as shown on the proposed mine plan) with this material. This material will also be incorporated into the <br />permit as requested by the Mined Land Reclamation Board (reference MV- 2012 -035). <br />Several power transmission lines and distribution lines (see Photo 4) cross the site, both north- south, and east - <br />west. What appeared to be new markers for a natural gas pipeline were observed marking the pipe line <br />alignment approximately 50 to 100 feet west of Nyberg Road (see Photo 5). The pipeline and two of the power <br />lines were not identified on the application permit Exhibits C. The enclosed map indicates the approximate <br />locations of the two power distribution lines (in orange) and the gas line (in green). The east -west power <br />distribution line is nearly coincident with the permit boundary for the St. Barbara Sand and Gravel Mine (see <br />Photo 6). Stonewall Springs plans to offset excavations form this boundary by 25 feet. This should be <br />adequate to protect the power lines. Mr. Gagliano proposed a minimum 200 -foot offset from the gas line to <br />limit mining activities. According to the Exhibit C Mining Plan Map, no mining activity is planned in the <br />vicinity of the north -south power distribution line along 41 Lane. This power line is shown in Photo 7. The <br />east edge of the Phase 1 cell is 800 to 900 feet west of this power line. The "reserved 40 acres" for a portable <br />concrete and /or hot asphalt plant is approximately 1,000 feet east of this power line. <br />The Excelsior Ditch (irrigation) runs west to east along the proposed north permit boundary line. The ditch <br />terminates into a series of infiltration galleries (see Photo 8) on the east end of the site (near Chico Creek). <br />File Review Notes: <br />• The proposed total permitted area is 1,030 acres. The initial proposed disturbance in 9.9 acres (cell 1) <br />• The end of the public comment period was 12/24/2012. The only comment received by the Division <br />was from the State Historic Preservation Officer (SHPO). The letter form SHPO is attached. <br />• The Division received proof of newspaper publication on 12/19/2012. <br />• A telephone conversation with Mr. Gagliano on 1/25/2013 confirmed Mr. Morley owns the center pivots <br />and irrigation pipelines present on the site. <br />Page 2 of 4 <br />