2020-12-04_PERMIT FILE - M2020063

• Permit No: M2020063
• IBM Index Class Name: PERMIT FILE
• Doc Date: 12/4/2020
• Doc Name: Is It Mining?
• From: Crossfire Aggregate Services LLC
• To: DRMS
• Email Name: SJM
• Email Name: THM
• Media Type: D
• Archive: No

WA S- T EU N1 E W C i,
PO Box 3471 Rapid City, SD 57709-3471 [phone]
PO Box 88 Cortez, CO 81321-0088 [phone] [phone]
WASTELINE.84532Agmail.com
19 November 2020
Ms. Stephanie Mitchell
Environmental Protection Specialist
Colorado Division of Reclamation Mining and Safety
1313 Sherman Street, Room 215
Denver, Colorado 80203 VIA EMAIL: [e-mail]
Subject: Schoen Farm Improvement Project, near South Fork, CO
Dear Ms. Mitchell:
have been requested by O'Rourke Excavating, Inc.to assist them on environmental issues and permitting
for a farmland improvement project northeast of South Fork in Rio Grande County. The owners, Mr. and
Mrs.William Shoen, have retained O'Rourke to gather rocks on the surface of their farm fields, and do other
work to improve the fields, including conversion of the present irrigation system to a pivot sprinkler system,
filling in irrigation laterals. Like many farms in the Rio Grande and San Luis Valleys, the soil is very rocky.
Like many farms, the Shoens have removed and stockpiled the rock which comes to the surface when
plowing, discing, and planting, but still have many areas where there is still rock on the surface. O'Rourke
Excavating will remove stockpiled rock and rock from the surface and immediately below the surface, and
crush and screen that collected rock for use by the Shoen Farm on the same parcel and also for their own
projects where they need sand, gravel, or fill materials.
Please find attached the latest version of the "Is it mining" questionnaire, with attached County approval
document and map.This project, including access by County Road,will be overseen by Rio Grande County,
and will be intermittent in nature.
Due to the nature of the project and the Shoen Farm, it is difficult to estimate quantities, depths, and other
aspects, but the attached form provides as much information as we can. This would be a multiple-year
project due to financial and other constraints, and the need to immediately use the improved land, which
will be planted to alfalfa as irrigated cropland and pasture.
We expect that inquiries and complaints may be received by the Division and other agencies, and wish to
assist as much as possible to provide accurate and complete information and answers to concerns. It is
the intent of the owner and user of the property to protect and improve the environment and ensure that the
Farm remains viable.
Stockpiles of rock collected from the field will be stored in the 7.74-acre Sand and Gravel Yard, and when
sufficient quantities are ready, a custom mill portable crushing and screening train will be brought in and
process the material. The construction material will be stored in stockpiles in the same area, until used on-
site or hauled off-site. That Yard will be the first to have rock removed, and screened soil will be stockpiled
in accordance with established DRMS standards until the project is completed and then used to return the
Yard to cropland. The Yard is not located in a wetland, floodplain, drainage way, or any significant habitat.
We will keep the Division informed as to progress and any contacts which might fall within the Division's
jurisdiction.
Sincerely,
Nathan A. Barton, CE, PE, DEE, Comptroller,
WASTELINE, INC. (Project Engineer)
Attachments: Site map (aerial photo) as listed above.