Laserfiche WebLink
PERMIT#: M-1981-277 <br /> INSPECTOR'S INITIALS: MAC <br /> INSPECTION DATE: February 24,2016 <br /> OBSERVATIONS <br /> The inspection was conducted by Michael Cunningham of the Division of Reclamation, Mining and Safety <br /> (Division). Mike Loukonen was present on behalf of Loukonen Bros. Stone Company. The Beech Hill Quarries <br /> site is located approximately 1 mile north of Lyons, Colorado. The site is permitted for 190 acres with a <br /> maximum allowed disturbance of 31 acres. The post-mining land use is rangeland. <br /> Gen. Compliance With Mine Plan: <br /> The Operator removes sandstone from six separate quarries within the permit area. The sandstone is removed <br /> using a front end loader or by hand with pry bars, no explosives are used at this operation. The Operator <br /> stores some product on site; however, most of the saleable sandstone is taken to the stone yard in Lyons, <br /> Colorado. The quarrying of sandstone generates a substantial amount of sandstone rubble, which has a <br /> limited market as a saleable product. The Operator typically stockpiles the sandstone rubble around the <br /> perimeter of the active quarry areas. The material may remain in one place for many years or may move <br /> around the quarry so that the Operator can access different layers of the sandstone formation. The sandstone <br /> rubble is also used to create level working areas within the quarries. In addition, the Operator has two <br /> separate areas for the long term storage of sandstone overburden. The first storage area is referred to as 'The <br /> Dump' in the permit documents. This area is situated on the east side of the Emil Quarry. The dump is <br /> approximately 0.8 acres and the stockpile is approximately 20- 30 in depth. The second storage area is <br /> referred to as 'The Meadow' in the permit documents. This area is located to the east of Kupio Quarry and is <br /> adjacent to Stone Canyon Rd. The Meadow storage area is approximately 6 acres in size and consists of a level <br /> area that has not been mined. Approximately 3 acres are covered with 3 -4 ft. of sandstone overburden in this <br /> storage area. <br /> Reclamation Success: <br /> The Operator has not reported any reclamation activities within the past five years. Quarries are left in a <br /> disturbed state until such time as the Operator has determined there in no saleable material within a quarry. <br /> Due to the variability in the quality of the sandstone and market demand,the Operator can maintain a greater <br /> operational flexibility by not performing concurrent reclamation. The Reclamation Plan states that all quarries <br /> will be backfilled with overburden. Also, all highwalls will be eliminated and the quarries will be graded to <br /> match the surrounding topography. <br /> Revegetation: <br /> The Division observed diffuse knapweed throughout the site. The Operator has an approved weed control plan <br /> and contracts with a licensed herbicide application to treat noxious weeds each year. Diffuse knapweed is on <br /> the Colorado Noxious Weed List B and requires the Operator to continue to manage the weed so as to prevent <br /> its spread onto adjacent unaffected areas. <br /> Signs and Markers: <br /> The permit sign was posted at the site entrance and the affected areas were clearly delineated as required by <br /> Rule 3.1.12. <br /> Page 2 of 5 <br />