2020-10-14_ENFORCEMENT - M2008009

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PERMIT #: M-2008-009 INSPECTOR'S INITIALS: CCW INSPECTION DATE: September 17, 2020 were holding water; however, there was no discharge from the ponds. A ditch was observed along the eastern portion of the permitted area. The ditch runs from the south to the north. The southern portion of the ditch was overgrown with vegetation (Photo 2). The center and edges of the ditch were completely covered in vegetation. The northern portion of the ditch was submerged under exposed groundwater (Photo 3). The northeastern portion of the permitted area has a large area submerged in exposed groundwater (Photo 4). This section of the permitted area shows evidence that the standing water has been there for a substantial amount of time, due to the cattails and algae growing in the standing water. Thistle and arrow grass were also observed in this area. The exposed groundwater water encompasses a triangular area that extends onto the neighboring property to the east. The northwest portion of the adjacent landowner's field was completely saturated with water and the most northwest corner of the field was inundated with exposed groundwater water (Photo 5). The saturated soil continued south along the fence line on both the permitted area and the adjacent landowner's field. The saturated soil decreased in extent as it continued south due to the topography gently sloping to the northwest. Please see the Google Map as attachment 1 for a representation of the saturated soil and exposed groundwater at the mine site and adjacent area. The ponded water at the northeast corner of the site did not appear to have anywhere to drain. This area is the location of Groundwater Well 43. The well could not be located during the inspection and is likely under the ponded water. Gen. Compliance with Mine Plan: During the inspection of the site, no mining activities were occurring. There were no equipment on site. The operator's representative mentioned that equipment and fuel are brought to the site when needed. The reclamation plan for the site calls for returning the land to the post mining land uses of pasture land and a developed water resource. The 37.1 acres of land requested for release in AR -01 were from the Phase II mining area and some land from the Phase I mining area. Vegetation on the reclaimed areas was dense and helping stabilize the area. There were no observed signs of erosional features. The developed water resource/pond is located roughly in the middle of the site. The portion of the pond located on the Phase II reclamation has been constructed to the designs outlined Technical Revision No. 2. The pond was holding water but not at full capacity. The pond will be enlarged when reclamation of the Phase I mining area is complete. The pond banks had approximately 3:1 slopes and were stable. There were no indications of erosion. Stockpiles for the subsoil and topsoil were located on the disturbed areas within the Phase I mining area. The stockpiles were covered with vegetation to prevent the loss of the resources. The sand and gravel resources were stockpiled on the disturbed area within the Phase I mining area. There were no erosional features identified. No off site impacts to the west were observed. Off-site Damage: Please refer to the Hydrologic Balance section and Attachment 1 of this report for more details. Reclamation Success: The purpose of this inspection was to inspect the areas of the permit requested for release in the application for an acreage reduction (AR -01). The areas included in the request for the acreage reduction were mostly in the Phase II mining area on the east side of the permit and the southern part of the permit (both Phase I and II mining). In total 37.1 acres were requested in the release. Vegetation on the reclaimed areas was stable. There were no areas with bare ground (Photo 6 and 7). There were no areas with erosional features. The Page 3 of 9