Laserfiche WebLink
PERMIT#: M-1999-021 <br /> INSPECTOR'S INITIALS: MAC <br /> INSPECTION DATE:January 20,2016 <br /> OBSERVATIONS <br /> The inspection was conducted by Michael Cunningham of the Division of Reclamation, Mining and Safety <br /> (Division). Cody Woolridge was present on behalf of Trollco, Inc. The Stegner Farms site is located one half <br /> mile southeast of LaPorte, Colorado. The site is permitted for 80 acres and the post-mining land use is <br /> developed water resource. <br /> Mining at the Stegner Farms site is complete and the site is in final reclamation. As noted in previous <br /> inspection reports, the slurry wall around the lake passed the leak test in 2009 and has been certified as <br /> meeting the design standards of the Office of the State Engineer. The Division approved the construction of a <br /> perimeter drain, which was installed around the slurry wall in 2005. <br /> Financial Warranty. <br /> The Division holds a financial warranty in the amount of$65,000. As part of this inspection, the Division <br /> evaluated the adequacy of the financial warranty. The Division completed a full bond calculation and found <br /> that $65,000 remains an adequate amount to complete reclamation of the Stegner Farms site. <br /> Reclamation Success: <br /> As noted above, the Stegner Farms mine is in final reclamation. There is a single cobble stone stockpile near <br /> the site entrance; the Operator anticipates this material will be completely removed from the site in 2016. In <br /> addition, there is a topsoil stockpile on the east side of the reservoir which will be replaced over the eastern <br /> half of the site. At the time of the inspection, a water main was being replaced along the south perimeter of <br /> the mine site. The Operator allowed the utility contractor to stockpile the bedding material near the site <br /> entrance; this material will be removed at the completion of the utility project. Final grading of the reservoir <br /> shoreline has been completed, with the exception of approximately 300 linear feet on the east side of the <br /> reservoir which will be turned into a beach area for the future residential development. The remaining <br /> reclamation tasks include minor grading of the eastern portion of the site, topsoil replacement and <br /> revegetation. <br /> The reservoir was filled with water at the time of the inspection. The Division observed the final configuration <br /> of the shoreline deviated from what was approved in the Reclamation Plan. Specifically, the eastern shoreline <br /> is located further to the east than is represented on the Reclamation Plan Map. In addition, the Operator <br /> created two islands within the reservoir to serve as wildlife habitat. The changes to the approved Reclamation <br /> Plan have been cited as a problem and will require corrective action by the Operator. Please see the first page <br /> of this report for additional information regarding the corrective action. <br /> The Reclamation Plan specifies the area east of the reservoir will be graded, topsoiled and reseeded. The <br /> Operator indicated they may wish to add some small ponds to the area east of the reservoir before <br /> reclamation is complete. The Division discussed with the Operator that any changes to the Reclamation Plan <br /> must first be approved by the Division before they are implemented at the site. Any minor changes to the <br /> Reclamation Plan which do not alter the post-mining land use of developed water resource can be processed <br /> as a Technical Revision. An Amendment would be required for anything that alters the post-mining land use or <br /> increases the affected area. <br /> Signs and Markers: <br /> The permit sign was posted at the site entrance and the boundary of the affected area was delineated by <br /> fence lines. <br /> Page 2 of 4 <br />