2016-07-13_ENFORCEMENT - M1986140

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Consent Agreement Page 2 July 8, 2016 REASON FOR VIOLATION. The Operator has affected approximately 13.62 acres outside of the permit boundary. It is the Operator's responsibility to protect areas outside of the affected land from slides or damages occurring during the mining and reclamation operation. Pursuant to C.R.S. § 34-32.5-123(2), an operator who mines substantial acreage beyond the approved permit boundary may be found to be operating without a permit. STAFF RECOMMENDATION.• Violation: Find a violation of C.R.S. § 34-32.5-109(1) for failure to obtain from the board or office a reclamation permit prior to engaging in a new operation. Cease and Desist Order: Issue a Cease and Desist order for all lands affected outside of the approved permit boundary until all required corrective actions are completed. Corrective Action(s): Require the Operator to submit a Conversion Application to modify the permit/affected area to incorporate the entire disturbed area. The Operator shall submit a Conversion Application within 90 days of the effective date of the Board Order. Civil Penalty: Pursuant to C.R.S. § 34-32.5-123(2), a Civil Penalty may be assessed in an amount not less than $1,000.00 per day nor more than $5,000.00 per day the land has been affected, not to exceed 365 days. In this case, there are 37 days of violation (from the date of the Notice of Possible Violation Letter on lune 211h, 2016 to the July 27h, 2016 Board Meeting), resulting in a range of civil penalty not less than $37,000.00 and not more than $1 85,000.00. In this matter the Division will assess a civil penalty of $37,000.00 based on 37 days of violation at $1,000.00 per day. The Board will suspend all butis , oolo of the assessed civil penalty to encourage timely compliance from the Operator. Payment of the un -suspended portion of the civil penalty,l OS . 00.00 is due within 30 days of the effective date of this Board Order. Failure by the Operator to comply by the Board Order due date shall result in the suspended portion of the civil penalty, $36,000.00, becoming effective and due.