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PERMIT#: M-1986-123 <br /> INSPECTOR'S INITIALS: MAC <br /> INSPECTION DATE: July 11,2014 <br /> reclamation plan or provide sufficient information to describe or identify how the operator intends to conduct <br /> reclamation. <br /> CORRECTIVE ACTIONS:The operator shall submit a Technical Revision, with the required $216 revision fee, to <br /> update and clarify the current approved reclamation plan to reflect existing size and configuration of the <br /> groundwater ponds on or before the corrective action date. <br /> CORRECTIVE ACTION DUE DATE: 9/19/14 <br /> OBSERVATIONS <br /> The inspection was conducted by Michael Cunningham of the Division of Reclamation, Mining and Safety <br /> (Division). Dick Coulson of Coulson Excavating Company, Inc. was also present for the inspection. The Kirtright <br /> Pit is located 5 miles southeast of Loveland, Colorado. The site is permitted for 79.80 acres and the post- <br /> mining land use is wildlife habitat. <br /> No mining was being conducted at the time of the inspection and the Operator has indicated that mining at <br /> the site is complete. All equipment has been removed from the site and there are no product stockpiles <br /> remaining. According to the most recent Annual Report, mining last occurred in 2005. Rule 3.1.3 states that all <br /> reclamation shall be completed within five years from the date that mining ceases. The approved Reclamation <br /> Plan for the site calls for the creation of two groundwater ponds located in the southeast section of the site; <br /> the groundwater ponds were to cover an area of 30.4 acres. The site currently contains five separate <br /> groundwater ponds which cover a total area of 21.49 acres. The upland areas are to be reclaimed to <br /> agriculture and wildlife habitat. <br /> The Division does not have a valid Temporary Substitute Water Supply Plan (SWSP) on file. The SWSP which is <br /> on file, expired on December 31, 2013. In April 2010, the Division implemented a new policy for sites with <br /> exposed groundwater which required Operators to address the financial liability of the exposed groundwater <br /> through one of four different options. The three options available for this operation were: 1) File a financial <br /> warranty in an amount that would cover the backfilling of all exposed groundwater to at least two feet above <br /> the static water level, 2) file a financial warranty to cover the cost of installing a clay-liner or a slurry wall, or 3) <br /> dedicate water shares to the Office of the State Engineer (SEO) in an amount equal to cover the evaporative <br /> depletions associated with the exposed groundwater. The Operator has chosen to comply with this policy be <br /> dedicating 0.5 shares of Hillsborough Ditch water to the SEO. The long-term evaporative depletions are to be <br /> covered through a court approved Augmentation Plan. According to the Operator, an Augmentation Plan has <br /> not been filed in water court. <br /> The Division has identified several problems which must be addressed by the Operator. The first page of this <br /> report contains addition details regarding corrective actions and corrective action due dates. <br /> 1. The Operator does not have a valid SWSP on file. <br /> 2. Mining has been completed for over five years and reclamation of the site has not been achieved. <br /> 3. The Operator has not obtained an Augmentation Plan for the 21.49 acres of exposed groundwater. <br /> 4. The existing ponds do not conform to the size or shape of the ponds which are in the approved Reclamation <br /> Plan. <br /> Page 2 of 4 <br />