2014-12-03_REVISION - M1985170 - Laserfiche WebLink

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APPLICANT: Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) INTRODUCTION: The purpose of the proposed action is to permit a 2.2 acre expansion of an existing 2 acre burnt shale borrow pit to provide CDOT with an appropriate local rock source to stabilize and repair highway 139. BLM's need is to allow disposal of mineral material to CDOT for ongoing maintenance of highway 139 where it is constructed on an active landslide area at Douglas Pass, if this is determined to be an appropriate source based on the needs of other resources. The rock is used along the shoulder of highway 139 where it is constructed over an active landslide on the south side of Douglas Pass. The shale rock helps direct the water runoff away from the road prism and prevents erosion of the roadway. When portions of the landslide move and damage the road prism, the shale rock is used to stabilize the mud prior to applying road base gravels. DESCRIPTION OF PROPOSED ACTION: The borrow pit has existed and been used intermittently by CDOT since 1967. NEPA has not been completed up to this point. CDOT proposes to expand the 2 acre borrow pit by 2.2 acres to ensure they will have enough burnt shale to repair highway 139 when it is damaged by future landslide activity. During expansion of the pit vegetation would be removed and top soil would be salvaged for future reclamation. Once the burnt shale is exposed it would be mined using heavy equipment (e.g., a bull dozer or a back hoe). Benches would be created above the cliffs and the burnt shale would be pushed over the cliffs to the flat area along highway 139. The mined shale would then be processed through an iron grizzly to create smaller, fractured pieces of rock. CDOT has obtained a permit from the Colorado Division of Reclamation, Mining and Safety ( CDRMS) for the state mining permit. There is a more detailed description of the mining and reclamation plan the CDRMS will be requiring in the CDRMS application.