Laserfiche WebLink
native soils and overburden material previously covered 10 to 15 feet of alluvium sand and <br /> gravel. Upper layers of the Pierre Shale Formation underlie the alluvial material in and <br /> surrounding the permit area. The relatively impermeable characteristics of the shale create a <br /> bottom seal for reservoir construction and water storage development. <br /> It appears that previous mining setbacks from the permit boundary have ranged from 35 to 50 <br /> feet, however, mining in Phase 1 and Phase 2 is no longer occurring near the permit boundary. <br /> The Phase 3 mining area is now accessible due to the recent relocation of the Box Elder Ditch <br /> and future mining setbacks from the permit boundary will be 50 feet or greater. <br /> Mine Phasing <br /> Sand and gravel for use as construction materials have been the primary products produced from <br /> the Timnath Connell Pit site. Connell Resources anticipates completing mining of the Timnath <br /> Connell Pit site in approximately 3 to 5 years. However, the rate of mining and overall life of <br /> the mine is dependent on several factors including product demand. In addition to the <br /> commercial sand and gravel materials, clay, silt, and other non-marketable materials excavated <br /> from the proposed amendment area will be used on-site for reclamation. <br /> The mining plan has included mining in three phases (Technical Revision 2 approved by DRMS <br /> June 25, 2007). Phase 1 and Phase 2 mining has been substantially completed (see Exhibit C-5, <br /> Pre-Mining/Mining Plan Map). Phase 1 (about 75 acres) in the western part of the site has been <br /> mined and reclamation is in process, including sections of liner construction for the proposed <br /> below-grade reservoir, recharge pond construction, and backfilling. Phase 2 (approximately 45 <br /> acres) mining and reclamation in the eastern part of the site has also been substantially <br /> completed. Reclamation in the Phase 2 area has included backfilling, compacting, grading, and <br /> seeding (with the originally approved native grass seed mix), constructing the Weitzel Road <br /> extension (previously released from the permit boundary), and the Box Elder Ditch relocation. <br /> The Phase 3 mining area (about 20 acres) includes approximately 14 acres in the northwest <br /> corner of the site and a strip of land generally coinciding with the historic Box Elder Ditch <br /> alignment (see Exhibit C-5, Pre-Mining/Mining Plan Map). The approximately 14 acres in the <br /> northwest corner (not previously located under the Box Elder Ditch) has been mined, backfilled, <br /> and stabilized with approximately two feet of gravel to support scale house, equipment, and <br /> asphalt plant operations. With the Box Elder Ditch relocated, mining in the rest of Phase 3 began <br /> in the southeast corner of the site and is progressing to the northwest. <br /> Even though the proposed amendment area has been mined in only three phases, integration of <br /> mining and reclamation has occurred. In general, as each mining phase has been completed and <br /> mining operations are no longer present, reclamation has begun. Care has been taken to compact <br /> and grade backfilled areas for future development including contour blending that produces <br /> smooth, relatively low velocity stormwater drainage from the mined and reclaimed areas. <br /> Timnath Connell Pit <br /> DRMS 112 Permit Amendment Application Page 5 <br />