2015-07-20_INSPECTION - M1999034

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PERMIT #: M-1999-034 INSPECTOR'S INITIALS: TOD INSPECTION DATE: June 2, 2015 INSPECTION TOPIC: Revegetation PROBLEM: Hoary cress, bineweed, cheatgrass, leafy spurge, knapweed and a variety of thistles were present within or have volunteered into the permit area and are becoming established. This is a problem for failure to employ weed control methods for a state listed noxious weed species within the permitted area, and to reduce the spread of weeds to nearby areas as required by Section 3.1.10 (6) of the Rules. CORRECTIVE ACTIONS: The Operator shall implement the existing weed control plan or the Operator shall update the weed control and management plan in accordance with Section 3.1.10 (6) of the Rules. The plan should be updated in consultation with the county extension agency, or weed control district office and should include specific control measures to be applied, a schedule for when control measures will be applied and a post- treatment monitoring plan. The updated weed control plan shall be submitted to the Division as a Technical Revision to the approved plan with the appropriate Technical Revision fee of $216.00 by the corrective action date. Or if the Operator Implements the existing weed control plan the Operator will need to provide proof of the implementation either through photographs or receipts by the corrective action date. CORRECTIVE ACTION DUE DATE: 8/19/2015 OBSERVATIONS This routine monitoring inspection was conducted by Wally Erickson and Tyler O'Donnell of the Division of Reclamation, Mining and Safety (Division). Aggregate Industries - WCR, Inc., the Operator, was represented by Connie Davis and Mike Refer during the inspection. The City of Thornton is the landowner for a portion of the permitted site located west of the South Platte River. The City purchased the land from Aggregate Industries. The City of Thornton is managing the mined out phases located west of the South Platte River, creating a series of water storage reservoirs. The City of Thornton was represented by the following people during the inspection: Eduardo Moreno, Josh Redman, and Walt Jenkins. The Cooley Reservoir & Fulton Wildlife Area is located in Adams County approximately 10 miles north of Commerce City, Colorado. The Cooley Reservoir & Fulton Wildlife Area is a 349.00 -acre 112c Construction Materials Reclamation Permit. The permit was issued in September 1999. The primary commodity mined at the site was sand and gravel. The approved post -mining land uses at the site are developed water resource, wildlife habitat and industrial. The mine site is surrounded by the following land uses, wildlife habitat, and developed water resource, industrial/commercial and residential. At the time of the inspection, the sky was clear and the ground was dry. No active mining was taking place within the Cooley Reservoir & Fulton Wildlife Area permit boundary. The Operator was processing material at the plant. The material being processed at the plant was coming for the Hazeltine Mine (M-2004-031). It appears that the vast majority site has been graded and seeded. The portions of the mine site which required backfilling have all been backfilled. Backfilling and Grading_ The slopes of the reservoir were graded to 3H:1 V or flatter around the majority of the reservoir. All slopes appeared to be structurally stable. The Operator was currently in the process of filling the Jeronimus property pond with fines. Damage from the fall 2013 flood was observed in the southeast corner of Phase 2. Additional damage has occurred at the site with excess flow this spring and summer. The 2013 flood damage and damage that occurred during this spring have been detailed in an inspection report from July 2, 2015 and July 9, 2015. All slopes will need to be repaired and graded to 3H:1 V or flatter prior to the release of the permit. Page 2 of 6