Laserfiche WebLink
(Page 2) <br />MINE ID # OR PROSPECTING ID #: M-1979-189 <br />INSPECTION DATE: 6/12/2006 INSPECTOR'S INITIALS: cmr <br />OBSERVATIONS <br />This inspection was carried out as part of a normal Inspection and enforcement program. The Colorado <br />Division of Minerals and Geology (Division) attempts to inspect each permitted mine operation at least once <br />every four years. The inspection was carried out by Chris Rowe from the Division also present was Ed Conners <br />as the representative of the Rio Grande Company (Operator). <br />The Rio Grande Sand Pit is located just south of Sand Creek (AKA Coal Creek) and is bisected by Murphy <br />Creek. In this part of the watershed these two streams are ephemeral and appear to only flow during storm <br />events. Both of these streams flooded approximately two years ago and filled the pits at the upstream end of <br />the site and caused some damage to berms around the pit. Additional contouring at the upstream end of the <br />pit has been carried out since the flood to reduce the amount of flooding and damage in the future. This <br />includes installing channels to drain the flooded pits and grading areas to allow the floodwater to flow back <br />toward the main Sand Creek Channel. <br />There are a number of pits on site, and most contain some water. Aquatic and riparian vegetation has become <br />established in many of the pits with many species of shorebirds and ducks observed. The upland areas were <br />bare or had limited vegetation, although there was good cottonwood and willow regeneration in places. One <br />problem that will need to be addressed is the presence of Leafy Spurge, a state listed noxious weed (Rule <br />3.1.10(6}}. Leafy Spurge is located throughout the drier areas. Other weeds that were present but in limited <br />quantities include, Field Bindweed, Cheat Grass, and Scotch Thistle. The Operator will be required to develop <br />and implement a noxious weed control plan. Find example documents attached to this report. <br />Gravel has not been extracted for a couple of years, stopping after the Sand and Murphy Creeks flooded. The <br />last areas to be mined correspond to the Phase I sections 1 and 3 from the mine operation map. The work <br />yard is still in use, and was regarded the previous year. <br />There was not any topsoil piles identified onsite. Examination of surrounding areas suggest that the site <br />probably did not historically have much topsoil, but rather the site was periodically flooded and sand and silts <br />were routinely deposited across much the site. The silts can support vegetation as evidenced by some grass, <br />weed and annual recruits onsite. Still this can be a challenge to get establishment for the required revegetation <br />on the non-wet areas. The addition of organic matter and nutrients may be required. Ina 2001 Technical <br />Revision to the permit the Operator proposes to use washed and/or screened fines as the reclamation growth <br />medium along with and needed amendments in place of topsoil. <br />The fuel storage area was bermed, but it was not clear if the site had some type of plastic or clay liner to <br />contain fuel spills. If there is not a linear the operator will need to install a system to contain approximately <br />125% of the volume of the largest tank. Please notify the Division if a linear is required. <br />Enforcement and Inspection Contact Address <br />NAME: Ed Connors <br />OPERATOR: Rio Grande Co. <br />STREET: 201 Santa Fe Dr. <br />CITY/STATE/ZIP: Denver, CO 80223 <br />cc: <br />U.S. Army Corps of Engineers CO Hazardous Materials and Waste Division <br />U.S. Bureau of Land Management CO State Engineers Office <br />U.S. Forest Service CO Water Quality Contrel Division <br />CO Department of Transportation OTHER: <br />