2022-03-28_INSPECTION - M1977151

Home Browse Search

PERMIT#: M-1977-151 INSPECTOR'S INITIALS: ECS INSPECTION DATE:March 15,2022 As noted in the previous reports, and again in this report, if the northwest area of the permit is to remain in the permit area, a technical revision to update the mining and reclamation plans is required to document the presence of all additional activities and structures, including underground lines, within the permit area. The permittee may also elect to release the unmined/unaffected area from the existing permit if no future mining is going to occur in that area. Also as noted in the 2013, and 2017 reports, and stated as a problem again on the first page of this inspection report, the permittee will need to demonstrate that they are in compliance with the DRMS bonding requirements and requirements of the State Engineer's Office Division of Water Resources with respect to augmentation of post 1981 exposed groundwater acreage. The currently approved SWSP was left with the Hiners during the inspection, along with a copy of the 2017 inspection report which contained a copy of the previous SWSP. DRMS discussion with the Hiners during the inspection also included a conference call their consultant at Applegate Group to discuss outstanding issues with existing exposed groundwater area at the site, and how those issues may be addressed. A corrective action date of 5/31/2022 has been given at this time to fully identify, and provide a technical revision to the reclamation plan to address, outstanding exposed groundwater augmentation issues. Per the Division's 2010 letter detailing bonding options for exposed groundwater; the revision for final reclamation may include a combination of dedication of owned water rights for long term augmentation, and/or backfilling the required surface area to 2 feet above static water level. Lining of any of the existing ponds using clay liners or a slurry wall to isolate them from the aquifer is also an option, however the permittee will need to determine if this option is feasible. As stated above, if the provided technical revision contains plans to backfill any of the existing post 1981 groundwater exposure, (the current SWSP renewal request states that approximately 8.25 acres of post 1981 surface area would need to be backfilled to address shortfalls with the currently held water rights) the revision must specify, at a minimum, what areas will be backfilled, approximately how many cubic yards of material will be required, and where that material will be obtained from. The revision should also provide a timeline for completion of any earthwork still required at the site such as backfill or shoreline sloping. This information will be used by DRMS to determine the appropriate increase to the required financial warranty for the site. DRMS would also like to point out the requirement of Rule 3.1.3 which states that "All reclamation shall be carried to completion by the Operator with all reasonable diligence, and each phase of reclamation shall be completed within five (5) years from the date ... that mining or exploration has ceased, unless extended by the Board or Office." During the inspection, several areas of the existing shorelines appeared to be far steeper than the 3H:1V required by rule. The Division will require that all shoreline sloping within the permit meet the reclamation standards of Rule 3.1.5(7), which requires 3H:1V slopes for at least 5 feet above and 10 feet below the expected water line, prior to consideration of a release request. It should be noted that this activity may also reduce the total surface area of post 1981 groundwater exposure at the site. Mr. Hiner stated that he continues to work on re-sloping the shoreline using the excess material available at the site. Other than the existing shoreline sloping issue noted,the mined permit area has been reclaimed and is currently utilized as a camping and waterski recreation area. No other issues were noted during this inspection. Page 3 of 5