2016-06-01_INSPECTION - M2007030

Home Browse Search

PERMIT #: M-2007-030 INSPECTOR’S INITIALS: ACY INSPECTION DATE: May 27, 2016 Page 2 of 8 OBSERVATIONS This inspection was conducted as part of the Colorado Division of Reclamation, Mining and Safety (Division) normal monitoring program. The City of Rifle Material Resource Area is a 110c permitted site that consists of 9.9 acres. It is located approximately a half mile east of Rifle and is accessed from Highway 6. Brian Prunty represented the City of Rifle and accompanied Amy Yeldell of the Division on the inspection. The site was inactive at the time of the inspection but Mr. Prunty indicated that mining occurred earlier this spring. The mine identification sign and affected area boundary markers remain in place and in compliance with Rule 3.1.12. The mine identification sign is located at the gate to the pit entrance. It is noted that the city’s water treatment plant road is being used to access the site. Adjacent to the active mine site the City of Rifle is building a new water treatment facility. A portion of this construction appears to be within the mining permit boundary. It was unclear at the time of the inspection if any permanent structures will remain within the permit boundary. At this t ime it appears that only dirt stockpiles and an equipment laydown yard is within the permit boundary. There are two main highwall slopes. Each are near vertical and approximately 60 feet. The pad/processing area is relatively flat and serves as a sediment basin. There is also a berm on the southwest edge of the pad to prevent any off-site damage. There is silt fence at the top of the highwalls to help control run off leaving the water treatment area and running into the pit. Several portions of the silt fence were down. This is an ineffective BMP and should either be repaired or removed. No fuel, structures or equipment related to mining were observed. During the inspection a cement wash out area was observed. This material was generated from constructi on of the water treatment plant. Chunks of old asphalt were also observed adjacent to the cement, though their origin was unknown. This permit has not been approved for inert fill. In order to import material the operator must provide the office with notice per Rule 3.1.5 (9). “The notice shall include but is not limited to: a narrative that describes the approximate location of the proposed activity; the approximate volume of inert material to be backfilled; a signed affidavit certifying that the materia l is clean and inert, as defined in Rule 1.1(20); the approximate dates the proposed activity will commence and end, however, such dates shall not be an enforceable condition; an explanation of how the backfilled site will result in a post -mining configuration that is compatible with the approved post-mining land use; and a general engineering plan stating how the material will be place and stabilized in a manner to avoid unacceptable settling and voids.” Please submit this notice in the form of a technical revision. The operator is reminded that per Rule 1.1(20) concrete must be in a hardened state for at least 60 days prior to burial. It was also mentioned that excess dirt was generated from the water treatment plant, this may be buried on site if an inert fill affidavit is submitted. If no affidavit is received then the material needs to be removed. During the inspection Russian Olive and Tamarisk were observed along the southern boundary adjacent to the roadsides. These are both B list species and the Division would like to remind the operator that they are required to treated all state listed noxious weeds. Though both of these infestations likely occu rred prior to any mining related disturbances the operator shall practice due diligence is controlling these species.