2014-08-29_INSPECTION - M1993050

Home Browse Search

PERMIT #: M- 1993 -050 INSPECTOR'S INITIALS: TC1 INSPECTION DATE: January 28, 2014 OBSERVATIONS This inspection was conducted as part of the regular monitoring program. The Operator (Raymond F. & Robert W. Dellacroce) was represented by Mr. Mike Ausburn (Pioneer Sand Co. Inc.) who was present for the inspection. Ms. Kathy Rosow and Mr. Al Stafford (CDPHE WQCD) were also present for the inspection. This is a 112c gravel mine. The mine was not operating at the time of the inspection. The Dellacroce Pit entrance is located approximately 1 mile west of Interstate 25, off West Baptist Road (exit 158). Inspection: Approximately six inches of snow covered the site. A permit sign existed at the site entrance (see Photo 1), but had apparently been knocked down by a grader. This is a ridge top mine operation and the proposed affected area is limited by topography. The haul road runs east to west through the middle of the site. Portions of Phases I, II (see Photo 2), III and V (see Photo 3) were graded, have been seeded, and showed signs of vegetation pushing up through the snow. Due to the snow cover, it was difficult to assess whether adequate vegetation has been established. A follow -up inspection is recommended to determine if these areas are releasable. Some erosion gullies were evident along the haul road (see Photo 4) and in Phase I (see Photo 5). Mr. Ausburn committed to repairing these gullies after the soil thawed in the spring. Active mining was occurring in Phase XII (see Photo 6). The highwall varied between 10 and 15 feet in height and appeared relatively stable. The mine progression is from the center outwards in an attempt to minimize the visual impact. A sediment pond is on the east end on the downgradient side of the operation (see Photos 7 and 8) across the haul road from the truck scale and scale house. Mr. Ausburn indicated it was nearly full of sediment, and that it would be cleaned out in the spring. Records: • The total permitted area is 146 acres, with a maximum affected area of 64.8 acres per Amendment 1 approved in 1999. • The previous inspection was performed on 12/29/2008. A a result of that inspection the financial warranty was raised to the existing $37,949 bond based 25 acres of affected area. • The anniversary date is February 22. Annual reports and fees are current through 2014. 1. The 2013 annual report indicated 32.17 acres had been affected. The 2014 annual report (not available at the time of this inspection) indicated only 5 acres have been affected, but that 33.67 acres have been backfilled and 16.17 acres have been seeded. 2. The DRMS has no record of an acreage release being requested, which is required to reduce affected area. The discrepancy in affected area and DRMS records is cited as a potential problem on page one of this report. • The post -mine land use is rangeland. Current Stipulations: None. Page 2 of 8