Laserfiche WebLink
Ms. Cathleen Van Egmond <br />March 16, 2015 <br />Page 2 <br />a. The unit costs are fairly well accepted, but if you believe the material quantities (e.g., <br />areas, volumes, etc.) are in error, please provide an explanation as to what the quantity in <br />question should be. <br />b. The quantity for which the Division has the most uncertainty is that for cutting the pit <br />walls to 5H:1 V (Task 001). The original permit indicates the final pit walls will be <br />5H:1 V or flatter. Unfortunately, the original mine plan does not state at what slope the <br />material will be mined. Given the snow cover during the inspection, it was not readily <br />observable what the current mine excavation slopes are. Please provide some <br />clarification on the intended mining slopes (i.e., 3H:1 V, 5H:1 V, etc.), keeping in mind <br />the closer to 5:H1V the slopes are mined the less earthwork is required for reclamation, <br />and consequently the lower the required reclamation bond. <br />2. #1, Exhibit E — The submitted clarification states approximately one third of the total <br />disturbed area will be "sloped as needed ", covered with soil, and revegetated. Based on the <br />maximum disturbed area of 10 acres, the Division used 3.33 acres for the reclamation bond <br />estimate with respect to topsoil placement and revegetation costs. Please be aware that the <br />approved permit requires the final slopes to be 5H:1 V or flatter as stated in Exhibit D, Item <br />#2. No response to this comment is necessary unless you need to change or clarify the <br />reclamation plan as stated here. <br />3. #2, Exhibit C, Item III — The clarification that blasting is only performed in the hard rock <br />area of the pit is helpful. However, because the original approved permit did not address <br />blasting operations, and there is now a habitable structure within 500 feet of the pit (house <br />owned by C. I. Neal to the south of the pit), a geotechnical stability exhibit pursuant to Rule <br />6.5(4) is required. Rule 6.5(4) states: "At sites where blasting is part of the proposed <br />mining or reclamation plan, the Applicant shall demonstrate through appropriate blasting, <br />vibration, geotechnical, and structural engineering analyses, that off -site areas will not be <br />adversely affected by blasting." As a response to this comment, please submit a <br />Geotechnical Stability Exhibit. This should include as a minimum a blasting plan, but also <br />an analysis that the nearby structure will not be adversely affected. <br />If you have any questions, please contact me at (303) 866 -3567, ext 8169. <br />Sincerely, <br />Timot . Cazier, P. E. <br />Timot <br />Environmental Protection Specialist <br />cc: Tom Kaldenbach, DRMS <br />DRMS file <br />m �mm\tcl,_ telie6rn -1991-080 stones ranch`,t o2 clarify \par2015- 03- 12.docx <br />