Laserfiche WebLink
PERMIT #: M-2004-017 <br />INSPECTOR'S INITIALS: PSH <br />INSPECTION DATE: May 8, 2015 <br />INSPECTION TOPIC: Reclamation Success / Weed Control <br />PROBLEM/POSSIBLE VIOLATION: Problem: There are state -listed noxious weeds present at the site. This is a <br />problem for failure to employ weed control methods for state listed noxious weed species within the permitted <br />area, and to reduce the spread of weeds to nearby areas as required by Section 3.1.10 (6) of the Rule. <br />CORRECTIVE ACTIONS: Implement the approved weed control plan and provide proof to the Division that this <br />has been done within 60 days of the mailing date of this inspection report. <br />CORRECTIVE ACTION DUE DATE: 7/25/15 <br />INSPECTION TOPIC: Administrative <br />PROBLEM/POSSIBLE VIOLATION: Problem: The Operator has imported and plans to import additional <br />overburden material to backfill the highwall in the northwest corner of the site to restore the required offset <br />and slope. <br />CORRECTIVE ACTIONS: The Division will require the Operator to submit an affidavit as required by Rule 3.1.5(9) <br />for the structural fill generated outside of the approved permit area within 60 days of the mailing date of this <br />inspection report. <br />CORRECTIVE ACTION DUE DATE: 7/25/15 <br />OBSERVATIONS <br />The Kattenberg Pit was inspected by Peter Hays with the Division of Reclamation, Mining and Safety <br />(Division/DRMS) in response to a citizen complaint (CT -01) received on April 28, 2015 from Liz McIntyre. Mr. <br />Bob Willits with Willits Company, Inc., Mr. Todd Hammerlund with ATH Specialties and Sales and Mr. Bill Gray <br />with Grand County were present during the inspection. The site was previously inspected by the Division on <br />October 9, 2014. <br />The following items were identified in the complaint letter from Ms. McIntyre: <br />Groundwater Exposure <br />The complaint letter discusses the water in the northeast corner of the pit floor. The water referenced in the <br />letter is a wash water pond. The pond was the second of two ponds used for sediment control when the site <br />washed the gravel mined at the site. The washing of gravel has not occurred at the site for several years <br />according to the Operator. The Division was not able to determine if the source of water was groundwater or <br />trapped stormwater due to the silting in of the pond bottom or clay seam at the bottom of the pond. As cited <br />as a problem above, The Division will require the Operator to backfill the pond to 2 feet above the water <br />surface and provide evidence within 60 days of the mailing date of this inspection report. <br />Mischaracterization of groundwater conditions /springs <br />The complaint letter states the depth to groundwater elevation indicated in the original permit application is <br />not accurate. The approved reclamation permit states the site will be dry mined and groundwater will not be <br />exposed during the mining or reclamation of the site. A review of the permitted wells surrounding the site <br />supports the statement in the original permit application that the groundwater table is 140+ feet below the <br />original surface of the mine. The Division was not able to inspect the Kovacs well or the spring locations <br />identified by Mrs. McIntyre during the inspection. The Division has not received complaints regarding impacts <br />to surrounding permitted groundwater wells near the site, therefore the Division does not believe the <br />Operator is impacting the prevailing hydrologic balance in the area. <br />Page 2 of 6 <br />