2016-03-05_INSPECTION - M1997065

Home Browse Search

PERMIT#: M-1997-065 INSPECTOR'S INITIALS: MAC INSPECTION DATE: February 25,2016 OBSERVATIONS The inspection was conducted by Michael Cunningham of the Division of Reclamation, Mining and Safety (Division). Jim Striggow and Justin Hamilton of US, LLC were also present for the inspection. The Brownstone Quarry is located approximately 6.5 miles northwest of Fort Collins, Colorado. The site is permitted for 66.18 acres and the post-mining land use is pastureland. The Brownstone Quarry operates under a 112 Construction Materials Reclamation Permit and the primary commodity mined is sandstone. On December 4, 2015, the Division received a Succession of Operators application to transfer the Reclamation Permit from Stone Wholesale, Inc. to US, LLC. The successor Operator chose to maintain their right to a decision within 30 days from date the application was filed for review. On February 2, 2016, the Division approved the transfer of the Reclamation Permit. The new Permittee, US, LLC, is now the permitted Operator for the Brownstone Quarry and is responsible for all provisions of file M-1997-065, as well as those specified in the rules and regulations. The purpose of this inspection was to determine if the financial warranty amount of$270,010.00 is adequate to complete reclamation of the site. The financial warranty was last adjusted on October 19, 2015, following the approval of Amendment No. 2. The increase in the financial warranty accounted for additional disturbance within the amended area. The site was active at the time of the inspection and the Operator was actively quarrying the north side of the amended area. The Operator has opened up a section of quarry measuring approximately 75' x 75'. The quarry walls are near vertical and the depth of the excavation is approximately 15' - 20' in depth. The depth of the quarry will increase as the excavation moves to the east. Overburden and topsoil has been stockpiled adjacent to the excavation.This material will be replaced on the active quarry area prior to the Operator opening up another 75' x 75' excavation. The Operator has removed some of the scrap metal which had salvage value. The rest of the refuse will need to be hauled to a landfill. All of the structures previously noted within the amended area are still present.The Operator has committed to constructing an earthen berm at the south end of amended area adjacent to the Larimer County Canal. To date, the berm has not been constructed. The Operator will construct the berm as the active quarry area shifts to the south. The operation was found to be in compliance at the time of the inspection. The Division has determined that the existing financial warranty is adequate to complete reclamation. The financial warranty will be reevaluated during the next regular monitoring inspection. This concluded the inspection. Page 2 of 3