2016-05-17_INSPECTION - M2007006

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PERMIT #: M-2007-006 INSPECTOR’S INITIALS: TOD INSPECTION DATE: January 14, 2016 Page 2 of 5 OBSERVATIONS This normal routine monitoring inspection was conducted by Tyler O’Donnell of the Division of Reclamation, Mining and Safety (Division). Fremont Paving and Redi-Mix, Inc. (Operator), was represented by John Paul Ary and Chris Robinette during the inspection. The Ted Franciscotti Pit No.1 is located in Huerfano County approximately 10 miles northwest of Walsenburg, Colorado. The Ted Franciscotti Pit No.1 is a 282-acre 112c Construction Materials Reclamation Permit with a maximum allowed disturbance of 25 acres. The maximum allowed disturbance of 25 acres was a conditional approval of the permit. The primary commodity being mined at the site is sand and gravel. The 112c Construction Materials Reclamation Permit was issued in June 2008. The approved post-mining land use is rangeland. The mine site was surrounded by the following land uses: residential, agricultural, and rangeland. Portions of the 112c Ted Franciscotti Pit No.1 were permitted over top of areas previously permitted by two separate 111 permits held by D.G. Huskin Construction Co. The two 111 permits held by D.G. Huskin Construction Co. have been terminated by the Division. It also appears that the site may have been permitted over top of a pre-law mining disturbance. Many remnants of historic mining are present throughout Phase 1. Also unreclaimed slopes of the pre-law mining operation are scattered throughout the northern portion of Phase 1. Many of the areas disturbed by the pre-law historic mining have filled in with a mixture of volunteer vegetation. No problems or possible violations were observed during the inspection. During the inspection, the sky was slightly overcast. There was partial snow cover, covering approximately 15% of the ground. The site was not active during the inspection, it appears that the site sees infrequent mining operations. It appears that historic mining started just south of the crest of the Huerfano River terrace and progressed to the south, east, and west, thus creating an odd shaped excavation. The 2 terminated 111 permits sit further south and west than the pre- law mining disturbance. At the present time it appears that the current mining operation has affected a small portion of phase 1 throughout the life of the permit. The current mining disturbance is located along the eastern portion of phase 1. Backfilling and Grading: There were several stockpiles of product, overburden, and reject scattered throughout Phase 1. Since the permit was issued it appears that the Operator has mined a small area along the eastern portion of phase 1, thus creating a small U shaped mining face. The mining face was approximately 10 to 15 feet high. When completing final reclamation, the Operator will need to grade all slopes to 3H:1V or flatter to comply with the approved reclamation plan. It also appears that the reject pile in the southwest corner of phase 1 has had material removed from the southwest side of the stockpile. There was a small recent excavation in one of the in the pre-law pit walls, the Operator’s representative believed that the landowner may have taken a little material out of the pre-law excavation. Financial Warranty: The current amount of financial warranty the Operator has on deposit with the State is $81,383. The reclamation cost estimate for this site was updated during the file review for this inspection. It was determined that the current required financial warranty amount is adequate to cover the current mining related disturbance. Hydrologic Balance: The current pit excavation is located on a gravel terrace just south of the Huerfano River. There was no evidence of excessive erosion. There appeared to be no significant impacts to the prevailing hydrologic balance.