Laserfiche WebLink
PERMIT#: M-1980-013 <br /> INSPECTOR'S INITIALS:MAC <br /> INSPECTION DATE: May 31,2016 <br /> OBSERVATIONS <br /> The inspection was conducted by Michael Cunningham of the Division of Reclamation, Mining and Safety <br /> (Division). Tammie Crawford of Park County was also present for the inspection. The Elkhorn Springs Pit is <br /> located approximately 12 miles southeast of Fairplay alongside County Road 15. The commodity of interest is <br /> sand and gravel. The site is permitted for 9.9 acres and the post-mining land use is rangeland. <br /> Reclamation Success: <br /> No mining has occurred at the site since approximately 2011, when the Operator submitted a request for <br /> release of the permit.The Division denied the release request due to a lack of vegetation and cited a problem <br /> which required the Operator to establish vegetation within a period of a year. According to the Division's <br /> records, the Operator did not comply with the corrective action. The reclaimed site consists of two shallow <br /> pits which are separated by a small swale. The pits are situated on a hillside, one above the other, and are <br /> both sparsely vegetated. Pursuant to Rule 3.1.10(1), in those areas where revegetation is part of the <br /> Reclamation Plan, land shall be revegetated in such a way as to establish a diverse, effective, and long-lasting <br /> vegetative cover that is capable of self-regeneration without continued dependence on irrigation, soil <br /> amendments or fertilizer, and is at least equal in extent of cover to the natural vegetation of the surrounding <br /> area. The Operator's failure to establish vegetation within 5 years from the time that mining ceased has <br /> been cited as a problem and will require a corrective action. Please see the first page of the report for <br /> additional information. <br /> Sediment Control: <br /> The lack of vegetation has contributed to erosion within both pits. The upper pit has erosion of the pit walls <br /> which is resulting from stormwater flowing along County Road 15 and overtopping the stormwater ditch <br /> which lies between the county road and the pit. Erosion was also observed in the lower pit where stormwater <br /> leaves the pit at the southern end and has cut a gully. The Operator has attempted to control stormwater in <br /> this area by installing a rock check dam. The erosion observed at the site is currently contained within the <br /> permit boundary and no offsite damage was observed. The erosion has been cited as a problem and will <br /> require corrective action by the Operator. Please see the first page of this report for additional information. <br /> In addition to the erosion described above, the Division observed an erosion channel to the west of the <br /> reclaimed pits.The erosion channel was approximately 3 feet wide, 2 feet deep and 400 feet in length. The <br /> Operator has placed large boulders in the bottom of the channel to prevent head-cutting. The channel is <br /> stable and is vegetated for the majority of its length. In addition, the vegetation surrounding the channel is <br /> well established. Therefore, the Division is not recommending the Operator take any action with respect to <br /> this erosion feature. <br /> Signs and Markers: <br /> The permit sign was posted at the site entrance and the boundary of the affected area was clearly delineated <br /> as required by Rule 3.1.12. <br /> Page 2 of 4 <br />