2016-01-21_REVISION - M1974069 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

The overburden soils in the area of Cell 21 have been supporting alfalfa and native hay for many years. For more detailed soils information see Exhibit I. The sand and gravel is underlain by shale. The primary commodities to be mined are sand and gravel. At this time, there are no incidental commodities. Water diversions will include pumping groundwater from dewatering trenches in Cell 21. A 20 horsepower, 6 inch electric pump will be used for dewatering of Cell 21. The discharge water will be pumped into Cell 20 and will percolate into the ground water through the gravel banks of the ponds. No water will return directly to the Big Thompson River, so no discharge permit is required. Approximately 1700 gallons per minute of water is pumped from pond 3 for washing and is returned to the existing settling ponds 3, 4, 5, and 6 near the office and equipment area. No water from the washing operation is discharged into the river. Mined material will be hauled by truck to the existing crushing, washing, and sizing plant by way of the internal haul roads noted on the Mining Plan Map (Exhibit C-2). The pit run material from Cell 21 will be hauled down an existing roadway approximately 1600 feet to the existing crushing and wash plant. The extraction areas will be surface wet pits; therefore, it should not be necessary to water down any active areas other than haul roads for dust control. The R.O.W for Wilson Ave. and the City sewer line are within 200 feet of planned excavation of Cell 21 Minimum setback from these areas will be twice (2x) the depth of excavation as measured from the toe of excavation, as detailed in Exhibit S. Excavation of Cell 21 will be set back 100 feet from Wilson Avenue on the East and 50 feet from the City of Loveland sewer line in the West Third Street right-of-way on the North, and 200 feet from the West First Street on the South, see Exhibit S. It is estimated that 100,000 to 150,000 tons of sand and gravel will be extracted each year until mining is complete. Mining of the existing area under permit M-1974-069 is progressing as planned, with exception of minor revisions in direction and timing to accommodate effects of September 2013 flooding. Reclamation of Cells 18, 7, and others damaged by the September 2013 flood will continue to run concurrently with mining; final grading and seeding will follow as needed. The following schedule approximates the time it will take to mine each pit if each gravel deposit produces its anticipated volume of sand and gravel. Approximate Time Table: Cell No. Year* 18, 7 Complete 2015 20 Complete 2018 21 Complete 2023 Final Reclamation 2024 *Time table is based upon current market conditions. If market slows, completion of Cell 21 could be as late as 2025, with Final Reclamation following in 2026.