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PERMIT #: M-2010-071 <br />INSPECTOR'S INITIALS: h1AC <br />INSPECTION DATE: hIly 30, 2015 <br />OBSERVATIONS <br />The inspection was conducted by Michael Cunningham of the Division of Reclamation, Mining and Safety <br />(Division). Brad Dallam with the City of Lafayette was present on behalf of the Permittee. In addition, Jon File <br />with Rock Products, Inc., the company contracted to construct the reservoir, was also present. The Goose <br />Haven Reservoir # 2 mine is located two miles north of the City of Lafayette on the west side of U.S. Highway <br />287. The commodities of interest are sand and gravel. The operation is permitted for 232 acres and the post - <br />mining land use is developed water resource. <br />Gen. Compliance With Mine Plan: <br />Active mining operations were taking place at the time of the inspection. All three phases of the pit have been <br />disturbed. The excavation is approximately 25 feet deep. The pit is currently being dewatered; groundwater is <br />exposed in trenches on the pit floor. The water is then pumped and conveyed through a pipe to a lateral ditch <br />at the north side of the site, which ultimately discharges into Boulder Creek. The current dewatering setup is <br />in contradiction to the approved Mining Plan which states groundwater would be pumped from the pit and <br />discharged into one of the existing reservoirs on site. In addition, the Division does not currently have a copy <br />of a discharge permit for this activity. <br />The mined material is being transported to the processing area via a conveyor. The conveyor is approximately <br />1,350 ft. in length and runs from the pit directly north to the processing area. The approved Mining Plan states <br />that material would be transported via trucks. The Operator is utilizing haul trucks to move material in <br />addition to the conveyor line. However, all structures which are in service of the mining operation must be <br />reviewed and approved by the Division, including conveyor lines. <br />The Mining Plan specified the Operator would install a slurry wall prior to conducting dry -mining. The design <br />specifications were to be submitted to the Division through a Technical Revision prior to the installation of the <br />slurry wall. The Operator informed the Division that a clay liner would be installed rather than a slurry wall. <br />The Mining Plan also called for installing a sub -surface drain at the same time the slurry wall was installed. To <br />date, the sub -surface drain has not been installed. <br />The processing area is located in the northern portion of the permit area. The Operator has excavated 14.5 <br />acres to approximately 15 feet below grade. The processing area contains of a wash plant, crusher, screens <br />sediment ponds and product stockpiles. This area is being dewatered in the same manner as the active mining <br />area. The approved Mining Plan does not allow for the excavation of the processing area. The Operator <br />informed the Division that they intend to reclaim the processing area to a second clay -lined reservoir. The <br />overburden from the processing area has been placed to the east of the pit on natural grade. The overburden <br />stockpile is located within the 100 year flood plain of Bullhead Gulch. The Mining Plan specifically states that <br />material would not be stockpiled within the flood plain. <br />The Operator has failed to follow the approved Mining Plan on numerous counts including the following: <br />1. Installation of an unapproved conveyor line. <br />2. Unauthorized excavation of the processing area. <br />3. Stockpiling of material within the 100 year flood plain. <br />4. Discharging water off-site without demonstration of the necessary permits from the Water Quality Control <br />Page 3 47 <br />