Laserfiche WebLink
PERMIT #: M- 2004 -047 <br />INSPECTOR'S INITIALS: PSH <br />INSPECTION DATE: August 29, 2013 <br />OBSERVATIONS <br />The File Pit 112 was inspected by Peter Hays with the Division of Reclamation, Mining and Safety <br />(Division /DRMS) as part of the Division's monitoring inspection program. The site was previously inspected by <br />the Division on September 14, 2009. Mr. Jon File with Farfrumwurkin, LLLP was present during the inspection. <br />The site is permitted for 314.14 acres. The approved post- mining land use is developed water resource. The <br />site was actively mining and processing material during the inspection. The site is divided into east and west <br />pits by Weld County Road 3 %. The east pit is undisturbed by mining activity and is being used for agricultural <br />purposes. Mr. File stated the east pit may not be mined due to limited resources in the pit and the pending <br />completion of mining in the west pit. <br />The west pit is divided into 11 cells (Cells A through K) and will be reclaimed as two reservoirs (north and <br />south). Mining is complete in the northern and southern portions of the pit. The last area to be mined, Cells J <br />and A, was proceeding during the inspection. The landscape area in Cell I has been removed and overburden <br />and topsoil have been stripped from the area. Forty trees from the landscape area have been planted around <br />the site. The trees were observed along the southern boundary of the pit during the inspection. Clay <br />stockpiles were observed in bottom of Cells G and K and processed material was stockpiled in the bottom Cells <br />K and J. <br />The clay liner installation for the north reservoir is 80% complete according to the Operator. Completion of <br />the liner is on hold until the City of Lafayette, which is providing the short-term augmentation plan through a <br />lease with the Operator, decides if they want to use the north pond for augmentation instead of storage. <br />Lafayette will own the reservoirs when construction is complete. <br />The clay liner installation for the south reservoir is approximately 50% complete. The south and north ends <br />have been completed. The middle section of clay liners on the east and west side will be constructed <br />following completion of mining. The Operator anticipates mining will be complete in a year or so. <br />The gas wells in the southeast and east side of the south reservoir have been plugged and abandoned. The <br />east well pipe was observed during the inspection. The Division will require the Operator to submit a technical <br />revision to remove the well pads from the final reclamation plan and update the reclamation plan map prior to <br />consideration of any future full warranty release requests from the Operator. <br />The primary topsoil stockpile was observed along the west side of Cell B. The stockpile was stable and well <br />vegetated. Several other topsoil stockpiles were observed along the east side of the site and north of the <br />scale house. <br />The Division holds a financial warranty in the amount of $476,500.00, which appeared adequate based on this <br />inspection. The long -term groundwater augmentation requirements for the site are satisfied by the bond, <br />which includes the cost to construct the clay liners at the site. The mine sign and boundary markers were <br />observed as required by Rule 3.1.12. <br />The Operator stated the City of Erie is planning to annex the property into the city limits. The property would <br />then be developed as residential. The rezoning to residential use may occur prior to the site being released by <br />Page 2 of 5 <br />