2024-10-21_INSPECTION - M1983175

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PERMIT#:M-1983-175 INSPECTOR'S INITIALS: CMG INSPECTION DATE: September 5,2024 OBSERVATIONS The Alamosa Pit No.2 was inspected by Chris Girardi and Jared Ebert with the Division of Reclamation, Mining, and Safety (DRMS) as part of the DRMS's routine monitoring inspection program. The site was last inspected on October 5, 2016, as part of a routine monitoring inspection. Paul Bottini represented Southwest Ready Mix (Operator) during the inspection. The weather was sunny and windy. The Alamosa Pit No.2 is a 112c sand and gravel operation that consists of 40 acres and is located approximately 4.5 miles northeast of Alamosa, CO. The approved post-mining land use is wildlife habitat. The current land uses surrounding the site are industrial and rangeland. A mine identification sign was located at the entrance to the site in compliance with Rule 3.1.12. The site is accessed from the eastern side using a gate.The permit boundary is enclosed with a fence. General Compliance with Mining Plan: According to the Operator, mining hasn't been conducted in over 20 years. The eastern third of the site consists of a backfilled pit with rough, undulating topography and minor amounts of vegetation. The remaining portion of the site consist of several open pits containing groundwater with the surrounding area consisting of coarse-grained and structural fill material backfilled in the former pits. Thick vegetation has established in patches throughout the site consisting of a significant amount of noxious weeds.The south- central portion of the site is currently being used as a processing area for fine-grained material. The equipment onsite included portable conveyers, a grizzly screener, and two track-mounted dozers. During the time of inspection, the Operator was processing material that appears to be brought in from off-site.The site also contained a trailer with oil tanks and empty blue drums that previously contained water for processing. Several stockpiles of fine-grained material were observed in the western portion of the site. A large stockpile of tires was observed in the southwest corner of the site (see Photo 14). The approved mining plan stated that approximately six (6) to nine (9) inches of topsoil was to be stockpiled along the perimeter of the site. During this inspection, the DRMS did not observe topsoil stockpiles along the perimeter or any other location at the site. Based on this observation, this is a possible violation of C.R.S. 34- 32.5-116(4)(g) for failure to remove topsoil and segregate from other spoil and C.R.S. 34-32.5-124 for failure to comply with the conditions of the permit to stockpile topsoil for reclamation in accordance with the approved reclamation plan. The Operator is approved to import inert backfill material from the King Pit for use as backfill. During this inspection, the DRMS observed rebar, other metal material, a metal drum, wood, plastic and debris scattered throughout the site (see Photos 2-5). This material appears to be mixed in with structural fill material that is used to backfill the open groundwater pit excavations at the site. Based on these observations, this is a possible violation of the following: C.R.S. 34-32.5-116(4)(d) for failure to prevent the release of pollutants to the groundwater from any materials handled, or disposed of within the permit area; C.R.S. 34-32.5-116(4)(e) for failure to dispose of refuse in a manner that controls unsightliness or deleterious effects of such refuse; C.R.S. 34-32.5-116(4)(h) for failure to minimize the disturbance to the hydrologic balance; and C.R.S. 34-32.5- 124 and Rule 3.1.5(9) for failure to comply with the conditions of a permit to backfill the pits with inert material in accordance with the approved reclamation plan. Rebar is a solid waste material that is corrosive if exposed to weathering, and wood is putrescible. Trash was also observed in several areas.The Operator Page 3 of 14