Laserfiche WebLink
PERMIT#:M-1983-176 <br /> INSPECTOR'S INITIALS:TOD <br /> INSPECTION DATE:August 4,2014 <br /> OBSERVATIONS <br /> This inspection was conducted by Tyler O'Donnell of the Division of Reclamation, Mining and Safety <br /> (Division/DRMS). The inspection was conducted as a follow-up to a citizen complaint about flooding in the <br /> adjacent landowner's basement, owned by Levi Kirby. The Division received the written complaint from Mr. <br /> Kirby on November 7, 2013. The complaint explained that the Kirby's property has been flooded since <br /> backfilling started at the Speer Mining Resource pit around 2008. The complaint describes ongoing flooding of <br /> the basement which the homeowner believes is caused by mounding of alluvial groundwater on the upgradient <br /> side of the Speer Mining Resources site where the home is located. The Division received a more recent <br /> complaint from Mr. Kirby by email on July 30, 2014 explaining the basement was still flooding, during <br /> approximately the last 3 weeks. The Operator, Asphalt Specialties Co., inc., was represented by Rob Laird <br /> during the inspection. <br /> The Speer Mining Resource pit is located in Adams County approximately 0.5 mile south of Henderson <br /> Colorado, just north of 120th Ave., and east of the South Platte River. The Speer Mining Resource pit is a <br /> 75.50-acre 112 Construction Materials Reclamation Permit. The approved post-mining land use is general <br /> agriculture. At the time of the inspection it was sunny. The majority of the mine was dry, with the exception of <br /> the exposed groundwater pond. Mining was completed at the site in 2006, according to the mine's annual <br /> reports. The site is currently being used as a recycling plant for construction materials. The materials that are <br /> not usable after the recycling process are used for backfilling the exposed groundwater pond. <br /> The Division cited a problem in the April 9, 2009 inspection report for failure to minimize disturbance to the <br /> prevailing hydrologic balance pursuant to C.R.S. 34-32.5-116(4)(h). In 2009 the Mined Land Reclamation <br /> Board (Board/MLRB) found the Operator in violation of C.R.S. 34-32.5-116(4)(h). The Board required the <br /> Operator to submit temporary and permanent solutions to resolve the groundwater mounding problem. A <br /> french drain was added to the approved reclamation plan in AM-04. The purpose of the french drain will be to <br /> convey alluvial groundwater away from the upgradient (south and east) side of the backfilled pit so that <br /> mounding does not occur. To-date the french drain has not been constructed. The mounded groundwater is <br /> currently being mitigated by a trench that extends from the upgadient side of the lake to the South Platte River. <br /> Based on a 2009 Deere and Ault memorandum the upgradient end of the trench was to be excavated down to an <br /> elevation of approximately 5,012 feet. The temporary dewatering trench plan approved by the Division, has <br /> since been modified by the Operator and therefore, will need to be updated in a Technical Revision. <br /> The inspection began at the Speer Resources pit where Mr. Laird escorted the Division through the site. The <br /> inspection began at the upgradient end of the temporary dewatering trench. The Division followed the flow <br /> path from the upgradient end of the dewatering trench to the outflow into the exposed groundwater pond. The <br /> Division observed approximately 2 feet of water in the dewatering trench (see photo # 1) between the culvert <br /> and the upgradient end of the trench, segment 1 (see figure #1). The water flow in segment 1 was barely <br /> detectable to stagnate. <br /> After making observations at segment 1, the Division proceeded to segment 2 of the temporary dewatering <br /> trench. Segment 2 extends between two culverts. Segment 2 had a berm built along the western perimeter. <br /> The berm was constructed between the haul road and the dewatering trench. There were portions in the berm <br /> around segment 2 that had been breached. The breaches in the berm have allowed sediment eroded off of the <br /> stockpiles, the processing area, and the haul road, to be deposited into the dewatering trench. Portions of <br /> segment 2 had large deposits of sediment blocking the flow of water(see photos# 2 through 4). The sediment <br /> blockages in segment 2 have restricted flow in segments 1 and 2. <br /> Page 3 of 9 <br />