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PERMIT #: M -1974 -092 <br />INSPECTOR'S INITIALS: MAC <br />INSPECTION DATE: May 30, 2013 <br />OBSERVATIONS <br />The inspection was conducted by Michael Cunningham of the Division of Reclamation, Mining and Safety <br />(Division). Doug Dowling of Dorn Ready Mix Corp. was also present for the inspection. The Barlow Pit is <br />located in Morgan County, approximately 3 miles east of Fort Morgan, Colorado. The site is permitted for 40 <br />acres and the post- mining land use is wildlife habitat. <br />The permit sign was posted at the site entrance and the boundary of the affected area was clearly delineated <br />as required by Rule 3.1.12. The Barlow Pit was not active at the time of the inspection. According to the <br />Operator, a subcontractor will move equipment into the site this summer and will commence suction dredging <br />at the west end of the pit. Suction dredging has not occurred at the Barlow Pit for several years; however, the <br />Operator has been selling material from product stockpiles. The Operator should be aware that if the site <br />becomes inactive for a period of 180 consecutive days or more, then the site will need to be placed into <br />Temporary Cessation pursuant to Rule 1.13.5(1). <br />The Barlow Pit is situated approximately 2,000 feet south of the South Platte River. As noted above, the sand <br />and gravel is wet mined using a suction dredge. The Barlow Pit is approximately 15 acres in size and contains <br />exposed groundwater. At the time of the inspection the Operator provided the Division with a copy of the <br />court approved augmentation plan for the exposed groundwater. The operation is currently in compliance <br />with all Colorado water laws governing injury to existing water rights. The mined product is screened on the <br />north side of the pit and stockpiled north of the screening area; the stockpile area accounts for approximately <br />6 acres of disturbance within the permit boundary. To date the Operator has affected approximately 30 acres <br />of land. <br />Based on observations made from the top of the pit slopes; the pits walls are currently at the natural angle of <br />repose (^'1H:1V). Sections of the southern pit slopes were closer to 2H:1V due to backfilling imported material <br />in these areas. The Operator will be required to achieve a final slope of 3H:1V for five feet above and ten feet <br />below the static water level. <br />Topsoil has been stockpiled along the north perimeter of the site. Most of the stockpiled topsoil has been <br />imported; the Operator has provided the Division with a Notice to import inert material. Reclamation of the <br />site will require little topsoil since the majority of the reclaimed site will be open water. The Operator has <br />been controlling noxious weeds at the Barlow Pit. The Division observed thistle from the last growing season <br />and a single tamarisk plant on the south side of the pit. The Operator is doing an excellent job in controlling <br />the weeds and preventing the spread of these species onto adjacent lands. <br />The Division holds a financial warranty in the amount of $6,000.00. The required financial warranty amount <br />has remained unchanged since 1974; the Division will perform a complete bond calculation to ensure that the <br />financial warranty amount is still adequate to complete reclamation at the site. Notice of an increase to the <br />financial warranty amount will be sent under separate cover. <br />This concluded the inspection. <br />Page 2 of 4 <br />