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PERMIT #: M -1978 -266 <br />INSPECTOR'S INITIALS: PSH <br />INSPECTION DATE: July 16, 2013 <br />OBSERVATIONS <br />The Riley Gravel Pit was inspected by Peter Hays with the Division of Reclamation, Mining and Safety (Division) <br />as part of the Division's monitoring inspection program. Mr. Andy Norris with Jackson County was present <br />during the inspection. The site was previously inspected by the Division on September 25, 2008. <br />The Riley Gravel Pit is located approximately 8 mile northwest of Gould, CO on JCR 25. The permit was <br />converted (CN -01) from an 110c to an 112c permit on March 7, 2005 increasing the permitted acreage by <br />15.156 acres from 3.844 acres to 19.9 acres. <br />The approved mining plan allows for a maximum disturbed area of 16.5 acres with an excavation depth of <br />approximately 70'. Overburden and topsoil will be stockpiled as mining progresses with expected overall <br />stockpiles of 16,500 yards of overburden and 9,800 yards of topsoil. As indicated on the annual report maps <br />from Jackson County, overburden material is stockpile between the east and west gates along the south side <br />of the permit site. Two topsoil stockpiles are located in the southwest corner of the site and northeast of the <br />overburden pile. The overburden and topsoil stockpiles were vegetated and no evidence of erosion was <br />observed during the inspection. The site was mostly unchanged since the last inspection. <br />Mr. Norris stated Jackson County would still prefer to mine the site from the top downward along the north <br />end of the site to eliminate the highwall. The highwall would be regarded and a road will be constructed to <br />allow access to the north end of the site. This proposed change would require an additional permit acreage <br />expansion to the north. <br />Canada Thistle, a List B Colorado Noxious weed was observed on the east side of the site, above the highwall. <br />Mr. Norris stated the local weed sprayer would be notified of the problem. <br />The 2012 Annual Report submitted by Jackson County indicates the mine has been granted approval of <br />Temporary Cessation. According the Division records is statement is not accurate. <br />The Division recommends Jackson County apply for Intermittent Status (IS) by submitting a technical revision for <br />the site. Please Note: The Division's policy allows Counties to apply of Intermittent Status on all county pits <br />under one technical revision if the sites meet the requirements of IS. The Division considers an operation <br />actively mining for at least one day per year, but less than 180 days per year to be an intermittent operation. <br />Active mining operations require the development or extraction of a construction material from its natural <br />occurrences, which may include; open mining, surface operations, transportation operations, processing <br />operations such as crushing and sorting, as well as stockpile removal. Please note regular onsite maintenance <br />activities such as weed control, site maintenance, and storm water control maintenance do not constitute <br />mining activities. <br />A letter titled "Review of Current Permit Status Regarding Temporary Cessation" was sent on February 28, <br />2013 explaining intermittent operation status and Temporary Cessation of mining operations. <br />An entrance sign was posted and permit boundary markers were observed as required by Rule 3.1.12. <br />Photographs taken during the inspection are attached. <br />Page 2 of 3 <br />